Sooty Ant-Tanager

Driophlox gutturalis

Rather large, chunky tanager endemic to northwestern Colombia. Unlikely to be mistaken. Male isall sooty gray with striking red throat and crest. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Occurs in the lowlands up to around 1,100 m. Typically seen in pairs or small groups in the understory of forest, often near water. Frequently follows mixed-species flocks.

Taxonomy

The bird was first formally described in 1854 by the English zoologist Philip Sclater. The binomial name derives from the Guaraní name habia for various finches and tanagers, and the Latin word gutturalis which means "of the throat". The sooty ant tanager is a monotypic species.

Scientific name
Driophlox gutturalis
Authority
(Sclater, PL, 1854)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Driophlox

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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Sooty Ant-Tanager | BirdLens