Bamboo Antshrike
Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae
Small antshrike of bamboo thickets in lowland rainforest. Found primarily in bamboo forests, but occasionally also in other densely vegetated thickets such as vine tangles and cane stands. Males are finely barred black-and-white. Females are reddish brown above and dull yellow below, with black barring throughout. Both sexes have a prominent crest and hook-tipped bill. Similar to Fasciated Antshrike, but separated by brown eye (not red), less heavy bill, and voice; listen for its song, a series of loud, metallic “chink” notes, given at an even pace of about three notes per second.
Identification
The bamboo antshrike is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 28 to 33 g (0.99 to 1.2 oz). This species exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. Both sexes have a small crest, a dark brown iris, and a somewhat heavy bill with a hook at the end like true shrikes. Adult males have a black forehead and crown; the rest of their plumage is thin black and white bars. Females have a rufous crown with black tips on the crest feathers. Their upperparts and tail have thin dark brown and pale yellowish brown bars, their throat is plain buffy white, and the rest of their underparts are mostly plain cinnamon-buff with darker barring on the sides and flanks.
Taxonomy
Until the 1980s what is now the bamboo antshrike was treated as a subspecies of the fasciated antshrike (C. lineatus). The two are the only species in genus Cymbilaimus. The bamboo antshrike is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae
- Authority
- Gyldenstolpe, 1941
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Cymbilaimus
Range and habitat
The bamboo antshrike is found in the western Amazon Basin of southeastern Peru, western Brazil, and northwestern Bolivia. In Peru it occurs in the departments of Ucayali, Cuzco, Madre de Dios, and Puno. In Brazil it occurs in Acre and Rondônia states, and in Bolivia the departments of Pando, La Paz, and Beni.<p>The bamboo antshrike almost exclusively inhabits stands of bamboo, typically of genus Guadua, in humid lowland and foothill forest. There it favors the upper levels of the bamboo. It sometimes is found in dense tangles of vines in floodplain forest (even with no bamboo), where it is more broadly seen from the mid-storey to the canopy. In elevation it ranges up to about 1,450 m (4,800 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The bamboo antshrike is presumed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>The bamboo antshrike's diet has not been detailed but is known to include insects. It forages singly or in pairs and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks as they pass through its territory. It forages mostly in the crown of bamboo stands but also in vine tangles; it may go as high as 20 m (65 ft) above the ground in trees above bamboo stands. It feeds mostly by gleaning or making short sallies from a perch during pauses while hopping along branches and bamboo stems. It occasionally investigates clusters of dead leaves.<p>Nothing is known about the bamboo antshrike's breeding biology.<p>The bamboo antshrike's song is "a loud, slightly descending series of 8-15 ringing metallic tchink notes". Its calls are "a sharp tchew! note" that is often made in a series, "a thin, dry rattle", and "a whining ewwee?".
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-faced Starling
Sturnornis albofrontatus
Small, dark-backed starling with lightly streaked, gray underparts and noticeable white face. Found in pairs and small groups within the canopy of forest in the lowlands and foothills. Only starling in Sri Lanka with uniformly dark upperparts, extending onto nape and rear crown. Most often heard call is a harsh “chyup”. Song is an untidy series of warbles and scratchy notes.
South Melanesian Cuckooshrike
Coracina caledonica
A large cuckooshrike with uniformly matte slaty-black plumage and a very striking pale eye. Long-tailed, with a relatively stubby bill. Resident in forests, usually in foothills and lowlands, especially coastal forest. Unlikely to be confused. Most common call is an ascending whistle, often followed by a shrill “kwa-kwawa-kwawa.”
Red-headed Myzomela
Myzomela erythrocephala
Tiny honeyeater with a short tail. Adult males have striking bright red face and rump, black wings and back, and gray underparts. Adult females have small amounts of faint red on the face but lack the red rump. Juveniles are similar to adult females but have less red on the face. Typically found in coastal habitats: almost exclusively in mangroves and adjacent forest.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.