Bare-crowned Antbird
Gymnocichla nudiceps
Scarce and rather shy antbird of evergreen forest, second growth thickets, and overgrown plantations in humid tropical lowlands. Usually in pairs, on or near the ground, where often accompanies army ant swarms to capture prey flushed by the ants. Male is black with white wingbars with bright blue naked skin on crown and around eyes. Female is rusty brown overall with bright blue naked eyering.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gymnocichla nudiceps
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Gymnocichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It has been recorded that Bare-Crowned antbirds travel in pairs and do not associate with any other species except for army-ant swarms. The bird tends to remain near the ground and commonly follows army ants to catch flushed prey. However, they also regularly hop around the ground and look for prey that way, either on low vines, or trunks. The bare-crowned antbirds diet feeds on a variety of insects, spiders and other small reptiles, like grasshoppers, ants, and even small lizards. <p>The bare-crowned antbird nests are dome- shaped with thin fibers like plants, stems vines constructing it. Nests are usually supported by broad plant stems and are low on the ground. The nests are well concealed, hidden among thick vegetation and leaves. Both female and male bare-crowned antbirds bring food to the nest, including small spider's insect larvae. Additionally, they both brood over the nest. When both female and male return at the nest, they often perform various vocalizations, accompanied by tail pumping. In this species, parental responsibilities for incubation, brooding, and nest-ling feeding are shared.<p>The Bare-Crowned antbird inhabits various areas in central and South America such as Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The bird does not travel outside of these regions because its main food source are ants along the jungle floor.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Penelope purpurascens
Very large, long-tailed game bird of tropical and subtropical forest. Often seen high in trees or flying through the forest canopy; usually not seen in areas near people except in some protected areas due to hunting pressure. Typically in pairs or small groups and wary. Plumage dark overall (often looks blackish) with bright red throat wattle; white streaking on body visible at closer range. Crest is bushy and usually not a striking feature.
Black-billed Barbet
Lybius guifsobalito
A medium-sized black barbet with a mostly red head. With a good look, pale edges to the wing feathers are visible. Found at middle elevations in woodland, scrub, and cultivated areas, usually in pairs or small groups. Similar to Red-faced Barbet, but ranges don’t overlap, and Black-billed is easily separated by much more extensive red on the head. The vocalizations include a low growling and an explosive series of two-syllabled “KOOP-pup” phrases.
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
Large, long-tailed sparrow. Look for black stripes bordering yellow crown, especially obvious on breeding adults. Immatures are browner but still show yellow in the center of the crown. Often looks scruffy and not as crisp as White-crowned Sparrow. Breeds in low, shrubby areas of tundra or at edges of boreal forest. Frequents forest edges, backyards, and scrubby areas in winter and migration. Often in flocks with White-crowned Sparrow. Forages on the ground and in low vegetation for seeds and insects. Visits feeders.
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