Description of the Tamá-Santurbán subspecies of Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana

We describe the population of Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana in the northern section of the main East Andean range in Colombia and Venezuela (from Tamá to Páramo de Santurbán) as a new subspecies. Vocally, this population is differentiated from the previously consubspecific G. n. nanitaea of the Mérida Andes in Venezuela above the traditional 75% threshold for subspecies, with on average fewer notes, shorter song length, slower song speed, reduced change in acoustic frequency, lower max. acoustic frequency of the highest note and longer note length at the start of the song. Recently published molecular studies are also consistent with its treatment as a separate subspecies. Morphological differentiation is slight, but the Tamá-Santurbán population appears to have a paler breast in females, more extensive white feathering on the belly in males and a slightly broader bill than Mérida birds. The new subspecies is separated by the Chicamocha, Suárez and Sogamoso Valleys from the nominate subspecies of the southern East Andes and hallsi of the Serranía de los Yariguíes, both of which are more clearly differentiated in both voice and plumage.