Rondonia Bushbird
Clytoctantes atrogularis
Large antbird with a very distinctive, robust upturned bill. Males are all black and females are chestnut with a black throat patch. An apparently naturally rare inhabitant of the dense understory of humid forests, where it forages at lower levels, favoring areas with Lepidocaryum palms. The song is a series of musical whistles “tree-tree-tree,” repeated for long periods.
Identification
The Rondonia bushbird is 16 to 18.5 cm (6.3 to 7.3 in) long and weighs about 31 to 36 g (1.1 to 1.3 oz). It is rather stocky with a short tail. Its large bill is laterally compressed and the mandible is upturned. The sexes have different plumage. Adult males are mostly dark gray, with a hidden white patch between their shoulders and a slightly blacker bib. Adult females have a chestnut head and upper back, with a concealed white patch like the male's. Their lower back is brown, their uppertail coverts gray, and their tail black. Their wing coverts are dark chestnut with paler edges and their flight feathers dark grayish brown with chestnut-brown edges. Their throat, cheeks, and upper breast are black, their lower breast, sides and belly light chestnut, and their flanks and undertail coverts gray. Their iris is brown, their maxilla black, their mandible dark gray to black, and their legs and feet gray. Subadult males are similar to adults but with dusky flight feathers and a scattering of brown feathers on the crown.
Taxonomy
The Rondonia bushbird was first described to science in 1991 from sightings and a specimen collected in 1986. It was not again recorded away from the type locality until 2005.<p>The Rondonia bushbird is monotypic. It shares genus Clytoctantes with the recurve-billed bushbird (C. alixii) and the two are closely related to the black bushbird (Neoctantes niger).
- Scientific name
- Clytoctantes atrogularis
- Authority
- Lanyon, S, Stotz & Willard, 1991
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Clytoctantes
Range and habitat
The Rondonia bushbird was first described near the Rio Jiparana, a tributary of the Rio Madeira in the Brazilian state of Rondônia. Since then it has been documented at additional sites between the rios Madeira and Sucunduri to its east in the state of Amazonas, and also in Mato Grosso. It primarily inhabits lowland humid terra firme forest in locations with tangles of vines, a dense understory, and sometimes with Guadua bamboo. It has also been recorded in moderately disturbed forest and near recently logged areas, and once in campina. In elevation it is known only below 300 m (1,000 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
Glyphorynchus spirurus
Very small woodcreeper of evergreen forest in humid tropical lowlands and foothills. Creeps up trunks, often in spirals, picking at the bark for food, then flies low to another tree before hitching upwards again. Forages on fairly large trunks as well as slender trees. Often travels with mixed-species feeding flocks. Note the short, wedge-shaped bill and pale buffy breast spotting.
Roraiman Antbird
Myrmelastes saturatus
Dark bird of highland forest understory. Male is entirely dark gray except for bold white wing spots; female is brown above and rufous below with a gray face. Inhabits tall premontane forest, generally between 500–1800 m on tepui slopes, and is especially likely to be found in steep terrain and in areas with many large, mossy boulders. Usually found in pairs that forage for insects on or near the ground, probing into crevices and tossing aside leaves, much like others of genus; does not typically join mixed-species flocks. Song is a long series of sharp notes, swelling in volume and dropping in pitch at end. Very similar to Spot-winged Antbird of lowlands, which it replaces at higher elevations (no known overlap); best distinguished by voice and habitat.
Black-collared Lovebird
Agapornis swindernianus
Short-tailed, mostly green miniature parrot. The back of the neck has a line of black above a line of color that varies geographically from yellow in the eastern part of the range to red in the center and orange in the east. Also note the blue rump and red patches on the sides of the tail. Found in lowland rainforest, including forest clearings and edge, and sometimes in secondary habitat. Often seen in small groups flying fast above the forest canopy. The call is a quick, high-pitched, silvery “siireee,” often given in flight. Structure and mostly green coloration similar to Red-headed Lovebird, but note the black collar and lack of red on the face.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.