Slaty Gnateater (Conopophaga ardesiaca) [XC144956]
by Dan Lane from Refugio Los Volcanes, Bolivia (call)
Slaty Gnateater (Conopophaga ardesiaca) [XC75356]
by Sebastian K. Herzog from Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, San Pedro, Manu Rd, Cusco dept., Peru (call)
Subspecies
Apparently closely allied to Ash-throated Gnateater (Conopophaga peruviana) and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater (Conopophaga castaneiceps) and part of the Rufous Gnateater (Conopophaga lineata) lineage, which is also thought to include Hooded Gnateater (Conopophaga roberti) and, perhaps, Black-bellied Gnateater (Conopophaga melanogaster). Range limits of subspecies, and especially whether they meet, are not known. Meets subspecies brunneinucha of Chestnut-crowned Gnateater (Conopophaga castaneiceps) in south-eastern Cuzco, which probably marks northern limit of range. Plumage variation within Bolivian part of range confusing, with seemingly both dark and light specimens from Cochabamba, and three geographically defined types of back colour in females. Of these, the olivaceous form, with two specimens from semi-humid forest of Santa Cruz, may represent another, as yet undescribed taxon.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
saturata von Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1906 - Eastern Andes of southern Peru southern from south-eastern Cuzco (in Marcapata Valley).
ardesiaca d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837 - From south-eastern Peru (probably from Puno) south to southern Bolivia (Tarija).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet