Birds Guide

Antbirds
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Aves   Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae
Genera
Many, see text.

The antbirds are a large family of smallish passerine bird species of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are closely related to the antthrushes and antpittas in the family Formicariidae.

These are forest birds, but tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat the small invertebrates that leave hiding to flee the ants.

Many species lack bright colour; brown, black and white being the dominant tones in their appearance.

They lay two or three eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating.

Contents 1 Systematics 1.1 Subfamily N.N.: Basal antbirds 1.2 Subfamily Thamnophilinae: antshrikes and relatives 1.3 Subfamily N.N.: Typical antwrens and relatives 1.4 Unassigned 2 References 3 External links

Systematics

There are some 200 species, variously called as antwrens, antvireos, antbirds and antshrikes. These terms refer to the relative sizes of the birds (increasing in the order given) rather than any particular morphological resemblance to the true wrens, vireos or shrikes. The genus Phlegopsis is the bare-eyes, Pyriglena the fire-eyes and Neoctantes and Clytoctantes are the bushbirds.

Although the taxonomical layout of the group is based on studies from the mid-19th century when less than half the present species were known to science, comparison of the myoglobin intron 2, GAPDH intron 11 and the mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences (Irestedt et al., 2004) has largely verified it. Two major clades - most antshrikes and other larger, strong-billed species and Herpsilochmus, and the classical antwrens the more slender, longer-billed species and other antwrens - and the monophyly of most genera was confirmed.

The Thamnophilidae contain several large or very large genera, and a considerable number of small or monotypic ones. Several of these, which have always been difficult to assign, seem to form a third, hitherto unrecognized clade independently derived from ancestral antbirds. The results also confirmed suspicions of previous researchers that some species, most notably in Myrmotherula and Myrmeciza, need to be assigned to different genera. Still, due to the difficulties of sampling from such a large number of often poorly known species, the assignment of some genera is still awaiting confirmation.

Subfamily N.N.: Basal antbirds

• Genus Terenura
  • Streak-capped Antwren, Terenura maculata
    Orange-bellied Antwren, Terenura sicki
    Rufous-rumped Antwren, Terenura callinota
    Chestnut-shouldered Antwren, Terenura humeralis
    Yellow-rumped Antwren, Terenura sharpei
    Ash-winged Antwren, Terenura spodioptila

• Genus Myrmornis
  • Wing-banded Antbird, Myrmornis torquata

• Genus Pygiptila
  • Spot-winged Antshrike, Pygiptila stellaris

• Genus Thamnistes
  • Russet Antshrike, Thamnistes anabatinus

Subfamily Thamnophilinae: antshrikes and relatives

• Genus Megastictus
  • Pearly Antshrike, Megastictus margaritatus

• Genus Thamnomanes
  • Saturnine Antshrike, Thamnomanes saturninus
    Dusky-throated Antshrike, Thamnomanes ardesiacus
    Cinereous Antshrike, Thamnomanes caesius
    Bluish-slate Antshrike, Thamnomanes schistogynus

• Genus Xenornis (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Speckled Antshrike, Xenornis setifrons

• Genus Dichrozona
  • Banded Antwren, Dichrozona cincta

• Genus Taraba
  • Great Antshrike, Taraba major

• Genus Hypoedaleus
  • Spot-backed Antshrike, Hypoedaleus guttatus

• Genus Batara
  • Giant Antshrike, Batara cinerea

• Genus Mackenziaena
  • Tufted Antshrike, Mackenziaena severa
    Large-tailed Antshrike, Mackenziaena leachii

• Genus Cymbilaimus (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Fasciated Antshrike, Cymbilaimus lineatus
    Bamboo Antshrike, Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae

• Genus Frederickena
  • Black-throated Antshrike, Frederickena viridis
    Undulated Antshrike, Frederickena unduligera

• Genus Dysithamnus
  • Spot-breasted Antvireo, Dysithamnus stictothorax
    Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis
    Streak-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus striaticeps
    Spot-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus puncticeps
    Rufous-backed Antvireo, Dysithamnus xanthopterus
    White-streaked Antvireo, Dysithamnus leucostictus
    Plumbeous Antvireo, Dysithamnus plumbeus
    Bicolored Antvireo, Dysithamnus occidentalis

• Genus Herpsilochmus
  • Ash-throated Antwren, Herpsilochmus parkeri
    Creamy-bellied Antwren, Herpsilochmus motacilloides
    Black-capped Antwren, Herpsilochmus atricapillus
    Caatinga Antwren, Herpsilochmus sellowi
    Pileated Antwren, Herpsilochmus pileatus
    Spot-tailed Antwren, Herpsilochmus sticturus
    Dugand's Antwren, Herpsilochmus dugandi
    Todd's Antwren, Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
    Ancient Antwren, Herpsilochmus gentryi
    Spot-backed Antwren, Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus
    Roraiman Antwren, Herpsilochmus roraimae
    Pectoral Antwren, Herpsilochmus pectoralis
    Large-billed Antwren, Herpsilochmus longirostris
    Yellow-breasted Antwren, Herpsilochmus axillaris
    Rufous-winged Antwren, Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

• Genus Sakesphorus
  • Collared Antshrike, Sakesphorus bernardi
    Black-crested Antshrike, Sakesphorus canadensis
    Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Sakesphorus cristatus
    Black-backed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanonotus
    Band-tailed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanothorax
    Glossy Antshrike, Sakesphorus luctuosus

• Genus Thamnophilus (possibly polyphyletic)
  • Acre Antshrike, Thamnophilus divisorus
    Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus
    Chapman's Antshrike, Thamnophilus zarumae
    Bar-crested Antshrike, Thamnophilus multistriatus
    Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus palliatus
    Lined Antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
    Black-hooded Antshrike, Thamnophilus bridgesi
    Black Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigriceps
    Cocha Antshrike, Thamnophilus praecox
    Blackish-gray Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigrocinereus
    Castelnau's Antshrike, Thamnophilus cryptoleucus
    White-shouldered Antshrike, Thamnophilus aethiops
    Uniform Antshrike, Thamnophilus unicolor
    Upland Antshrike, Thamnophilus aroyae
    Plain-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus schistaceus
    Mouse-colored Antshrike, Thamnophilus murinus
    Western Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha
    Guianan Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus
    Peruvian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus leucogaster
    Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus stictocephalus
    Bolivian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus sticturus
    Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus pelzelni
    Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus ambiguus
    Streak-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus insignis
    Amazonian Antshrike, Thamnophilus amazonicus
    Variable Antshrike, Thamnophilus caerulescens
    Rufous-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus torquatus
    Rufous-capped Antshrike, Thamnophilus ruficapillus

Subfamily N.N.: Typical antwrens and relatives

Tribe "Microrhopini"

• Genus Neoctantes
  • Black Bushbird, Neoctantes niger

• Genus Clytoctantes (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Recurve-billed Bushbird, Clytoctantes alixii
    Rondonia Bushbird, Clytoctantes atrogularis

• Genus Myrmorchilus
  • Stripe-backed Antbird, Myrmorchilus strigilatus

• Genus Microrhopias
  • Dot-winged Antwren, Microrhopias quixensis

Tribe Formicivorini

• Genus Myrmochanes
  • Black-and-white Antbird, Myrmochanes hemileucus

• Genus Myrmotherula (paraphyletic)
  • Stipple-throated group ("Microrhopini"):
    Brown-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula gutturalis
    Checker-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula fulviventris
    White-eyed Antwren, Myrmotherula leucophthalma
    Foothill Antwren, Myrmotherula spodionota
    Stipple-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula haematonota
    Brown-backed Antwren, Myrmotherula fjeldsaai
    Ornate Antwren, Myrmotherula ornata
    Rufous-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula erythrura
    Streaked group (closer to Myrmochanes):
    Pygmy Antwren, Myrmotherula brachyura
    Short-billed Antwren, Myrmotherula ignota (sometimes M. obscura)
    Guianan Antwren, Myrmotherula surinamensis
    Amazonian Antwren, Myrmotherula multostriata
    Pacific Antwren, Myrmotherula pacifica
    Cherrie's Antwren, Myrmotherula cherriei
    Klages' Antwren, Myrmotherula klagesi
    Stripe-chested Antwren, Myrmotherula longicauda
    Sclater's Antwren, Myrmotherula sclateri
    Yellow-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula ambigua
    Grey group (may include Formicivora):
    White-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris
    Slaty Antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor
    Rio Suno Antwren, Myrmotherula sunensis
    Salvadori's Antwren, Myrmotherula minor
    Ihering's Antwren, Myrmotherula iheringi
    Rio de Janeiro Antwren, Myrmotherula fluminensis
    Plain-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula behni
    Ashy Antwren, Myrmotherula grisea
    Unicolored Antwren, Myrmotherula unicolor
    Alagoas Antwren, Myrmotherula snowi
    Long-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula longipennis
    Band-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula urosticta
    Gray Antwren, Myrmotherula menetriesii
    unassigned (probably stipple-throated group):
    Rufous-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula guttata
    Plain-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula hauxwelli
    Star-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula gularis
    unassigned (Relationships unknown):
    Leaden Antwren, Myrmotherula assimilis

• Genus Formicivora
  • Narrow-billed Antwren, Formicivora iheringi
    White-fringed Antwren, Formicivora grisea
    Black-bellied Antwren, Formicivora melanogaster
    Serra Antwren, Formicivora serrana
    Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis
    Black-hooded Antwren, Formicivora erythronotos
    Rusty-backed Antwren, Formicivora rufa

• Genus Stymphalornis (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Parana Antwren, Stymphalornis acutirostris

Tribe Pithyini

• Genus Pithys
  • White-plumed Antbird, Pithys albifrons
    White-masked Antbird, Pithys castanea

• Genus Skutchia (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Pale-faced Antbird, Skutchia borbae

• Genus Phlegopsis
  • Black-spotted Bare-eye, Phlegopsis nigromaculata
    Reddish-winged Bare-eye, Phlegopsis erythroptera

• Genus Phaenostictus
  • Ocellated Antbird, Phaenostictus mcleannani

• Genus Gymnopithys
  • Rufous-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys rufigula
    Bicolored Antbird, Gymnopithys leucaspis
    Lunulated Antbird, Gymnopithys lunulata
    White-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys salvini

• Genus Rhegmatorhina
  • Hairy-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina melanosticta
    Chestnut-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina cristata
    White-breasted Antbird, Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi
    Harlequin Antbird, Rhegmatorhina berlepschi
    Bare-eyed Antbird, Rhegmatorhina gymnops

• Genus Cercomacra
  • Gray Antbird, Cercomacra cinerascens
    Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Cercomacra brasiliana
    Dusky Antbird, Cercomacra tyrannina
    Willis' Antbird, Cercomacra laeta
    Parker's Antbird, Cercomacra parkeri
    Blackish Antbird, Cercomacra nigrescens
    Bananal Antbird, Cercomacra ferdinandi
    Black Antbird, Cercomacra serva
    Jet Antbird, Cercomacra nigricans
    Rio Branco Antbird, Cercomacra carbonaria
    Mato Grosso Antbird, Cercomacra melanaria
    Manu Antbird, Cercomacra manu

• Genus Hypocnemis
  • Warbling Antbird, Hypocnemis cantator
    Yellow-browed Antbird, Hypocnemis hypoxantha

• Genus Drymophila
  • Ferruginous Antbird, Drymophila ferruginea
    Bertoni's Antbird, Drymophila rubricollis
    Rufous-tailed Antbird, Drymophila genei
    Ochre-rumped Antbird, Drymophila ochropyga
    Striated Antbird, Drymophila devillei
    Dusky-tailed Antbird, Drymophila malura
    Long-tailed Antbird, Drymophila caudata
    Scaled Antbird, Drymophila squamata

Tribe Myrmecizini

• Genus Sclateria
  • Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia

• Genus Percnostola (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Black-headed Antbird, Percnostola rufifrons
    White-lined Antbird, Percnostola lophotes

• Genus Schistocichla (sometimes placed in Percnostola)
  • Slate-colored Antbird, Schistocichla schistacea
    Spot-winged Antbird, Schistocichla leucostigma
    Caura Antbird, Schistocichla caurensis

• Genus Myrmoborus
  • White-browed Antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys
    Ash-breasted Antbird, Myrmoborus lugubris
    Black-faced Antbird, Myrmoborus myotherinus
    Black-tailed Antbird, Myrmoborus melanurus

• Genus Gymnocichla
  • Bare-crowned Antbird, Gymnocichla nudiceps

• Genus Rhopornis (pending confirmation of placement)
  • Slender Antbird, Rhopornis ardesiaca

• Genus Pyriglena
  • White-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena leuconota
    White-shouldered Fire-eye, Pyriglena leucoptera
    Fringe-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena atra

• Genus Hypocnemoides
  • Black-chinned Antbird, Hypocnemoides melanopogon
    Band-tailed Antbird, Hypocnemoides maculicauda

• Genus Hylophylax
  • Spotted Antbird, Hylophylax naevioides
    Spot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax naevia
    Dot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax punctulata
    Scale-backed Antbird, Hylophylax poecilinota

• Genus Myrmeciza (paraphyletic)
  • Chestnut-tailed group (Pithyini)
    Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza hemimelaena
    Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza castanea
    Large dark group (close to Pyriglena)
    Plumbeous Antbird, Myrmeciza hyperythra
    Goeldi's Antbird, Myrmeciza goeldii
    White-shouldered Antbird, Myrmeciza melanoceps
    Sooty Antbird, Myrmeciza fortis
    Immaculate Antbird, Myrmeciza immaculata
    Patterned breast group (close to Hypocnemoides and Hylophylax)
    Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza ferruginea
    Scalloped Antbird, Myrmeciza ruficauda
    White-bibbed Antbird, Myrmeciza loricata
    Squamate Antbird, Myrmeciza squamosa
    Main group
    Gray-headed Antbird, Myrmeciza griseiceps
    Dull-mantled Antbird, Myrmeciza laemosticta
    Esmeraldas Antbird, Myrmeciza nigricauda
    Stub-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza berlepschi
    unassigned
    Yapacana Antbird, Myrmeciza disjuncta
    White-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza longipes
    Chestnut-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza exsul
    Gray-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza pelzelni
    Black-throated Antbird, Myrmeciza atrothorax

Unassigned

• Genus Biatas
  • White-bearded Antshrike, Biatas nigropectus

References

• Irestedt, Martin ; Fjeldsĺ, Jon; Nylander, Johan A. A. & Ericson, Per G. P. (2004): Phylogenetic relationships of typical antbirds (Thamnophilidae) and test of incongruence based on Bayes factors. BMC Evol. Biol. 4: 23. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-4-23 Supplementary information

External links

• Antbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Antbird sounds in the xeno-canto collection.