Conservation

For many years there was almost no information available on the elusive Giant Antpitta, and it was considered simply Data Deficient (Groombridge 1993). Currently Giant Antpitta is considered Vulnerable or Endangered at a global level (Collar et al. 1994, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2003, BirdLife International 2012). Previously afforded Vulnerable status in Ecuador (Granizo et al. 2002), Freile et al. (2010) suggested its country status be raised to Endangered. Given the fact that the healthiest known populations are those of hylodroma in northwestern Ecuador, perhaps its status should be upgraded at a global level as well. Certainly, like other montane species, habitat loss is a large and continuing threat (Collar et al. 1997, Stattersfield and Capper 2000). Nonetheless, in eastern Ecuador, where the species can, occasionally be locally common, there are two Ecological Reserves (Cayambe-Coca and Antisana) and three National Parks (Sumaco-Napo Galeras, Llanganates, and Sangay), covering nearly 60% of the species’ range in Ecuador (Freile 2000). Also in Ecuador, subspecies hylodroma occurs in the Mindo-Nambillo Cloudforest Reserve as well as many smaller reserves such as Otonga, Bellavista, La Florida, Pasochoa (Kirwan and Marlow 1996, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2003). In Colombia, Giant Antpitta occurs in the Puracé National Park and the La Planada Nature Reserve (Ayerbe-Quiñones et al. 2008, Freile and Chaves 2004, Negret 1994, de Soye et al. 1997, Wege and Long 1995).

None specifically documented, although along with other bird species that inhabit montane forests, habitat loss is a large and continuing threat (Collar et al. 1997, Stattersfield and Capper 2000).