A Newly Discovered Bird Gets Its Name

Photo By: Fundacion ProAves

A newly discovered species of bird in Colombia has been named after the president of the American Bird Conservancy, George Fenwick and his family. Fenwick's antpitta (Grallaria fenwickorum) was discovered in 2008, and the individual was returned to the wild live after being examined in every conceivable way. It was captured in the 11,322-acre Colibri del Sol Bird Reserve, which is managed by local conservation organization Fundación ProAveson the Paramo del Sol massif in the western Andes of Colombia. It lives in the montane cloud forest where dwarf bamboo thickets thrive on rich volcanic soils, a habitat threatened by expansion of pasture for livestock.

Fenwick's antpitta is an insect-eating thrush-like bird, about seven-inches tall, two ounces, with cinnamon and gray-colored feathers. Quite handsome, from the looks of this photo.

"I am deeply honored by this naming. I know it reflects in equal parts on the contributions of both my family and the ABC organization, both of which have sought to further bird conservation efforts in Colombia," Fenwick said. "I am especially pleased that this effort was achieved without the loss of the bird’s life. Rare and special birds such as this should not have to be sacrificed to this process."

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