Black-faced Antthrush
Formicarius analis
Elusive inhabitant of humid tropical lowlands and foothills. Walks like a small chicken (not like a thrush) on the shady forest floor, holding its tail cocked and tossing leaves with its bill. Loud song of accelerating hooting whistles is often heard, but birds can be very difficult to see. Dark overall with pale bluish eyering and black face bordered by dark rusty band.
Identification
The black-faced antthrush is similar in general appearance to a rail, with a dumpy body, horizontal carriage, stout bill and short-cocked tail. It walks rather than hops, with a jerky motion reminiscent of a rail. It is typically 18–19 cm (7.1–7.5 in) long, and weighs 59 g (2.1 oz). The upper parts are rufous-brown, and the underparts are paler brown, except for the black face and throat, and rufous under the tail and behind the eye. The sexes are alike in plumage.
Taxonomy
The black-faced antthrush was formally described in 1837 by the French naturalists Alcide d'Orbigny and Frédéric de Lafresnaye from a specimen collected in Bolivia. They coined the binomial name Myothera analis. The specific epithet is from the Modern Latin analis meaning "relating to the undertail-coverts of the vent". The black-faced antthrush is now placed in the genus Formicarius that was introduced by the Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert in 1783.<p>Eleven subspecies are recognised:<p>The subspecies hoffmanni is sometimes recognised as a distinct species, the Panama antthrush, based primarily of its different song. The Mayan antthrush (Formicarius moniliger) was formerly considered conspecific with the black-faced antthrush.
- Scientific name
- Formicarius analis
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Formicariidae
- Genus
- Formicarius
Range and habitat
It is a common and widespread forest bird in the tropical New World, from Honduras through Central America to the northern regions of South America. It occurs in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Brazil, and the Amazon Basin, except for the northwest region.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The antthrush builds a leaf-lined nest in a cavity in a hollow branch or stump where two white eggs are laid. It is an insectivore which feeds on ants and other insects. It is quite terrestrial, feeding mainly on the ground. It will follow columns of army ants. The call is a loud whistle followed by 2–10 descending whistles, WHU! wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spiny-faced Antshrike
Xenornis setifrons
This antshrike is distinctive within its small range in eastern Panama and extreme northwest Colombia. Male is dark gray below and brown above with bold buffy spotting on wing coverts with a streaked back and crown. Female is similar, but brown below. Occurs in lowlands and foothills, where pairs skulk around in the understory of humid forest, often following a mixed-species flock. Listen for a rising series of piercing whistles.
Brant
Branta bernicla
Small, short-legged coastal goose; distinctive black head and neck with small white necklace. Some variation in belly and flank coloration across subspecies. "Black Brant," mainly of western North America and eastern Asia, is darkest, with contrasting white flanks. Breeds on tundra in the high Arctic; winters in saltmarshes, rocky coastlines, sheltered bays, and beaches. Typically uncommon to rare inland. Almost always seen in flocks, only rarely mixing with other geese species.
Desert Wheatear
Oenanthe deserti
Small dark-winged bird found in dry, open areas with sparse vegetation. Frequently seen perched up on posts, telephone lines, and rock mounds. Breeding male is soft brown above and pale below with a tan breast and a jet-black face, wings, and tail; nonbreeding male’s face is mottled instead of solid black. Female is more modestly colored and is gray above with less extensive black on the wings. Beware of very similar female Northern Wheatear, which tends to be warmer-colored, especially on the breast and has more extensive white in the tail than Desert Wheatear. Bright white rump in both sexes contrast sharply with black tail when in flight. The male’s song starts out with brief series of short, sweet whistles, and ends with a mellow rolling note. Calls are dry and somewhat chattery.
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