Southern Anteater-Chat
Myrmecocichla formicivora
A dumpy dark brown chat with an upright posture. It flies fast on short round wings, exposing bold white patches in the outer webs of the primary feathers that are diagnostic. Pairs and small groups occupy open grassy country, especially near dense collections of termite mounds. It sits on fences, rocks, or other perches and drops to the ground to pursue ants, termites, and other invertebrates to feed on. The song is a varied collection of whistles, clucks, and grating notes, including imitations of other species, while the call is a characteristic one-note high-pitched plaintive “peek.” No similar chats occur in the same range; the white wing patches of Southern Anteater-Chat are highly distinctive.
Identification
The species is sexually dimorphic with the male is almost entirely black while the female is brown with a grey bill and legs.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myrmecocichla formicivora
- Authority
- (Wilkes, 1817)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Myrmecocichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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