260

TYPICAL ANTBIRDS (THAMNOPHILIDAE; 22 SPECIES) Large neotropical

family most diverse in South America; named for the habits of some species that attend army

ant swarms to snatch prey flushed by ants. Plumage predominantly shades of black, white,

grays, and browns. Ages/sexes different or similar; adult appearance attained in 1st year. Voice

and behavior can be very helpful for ID.

ANTSHRIKES

(6 species). Varied assemblage of medium-size to large antbirds with stout hooked

bills (suggesting shrikes). Usually in pairs and often rather skulking, best detected by voice.

BARRED ANTSHRIKE  Thamnophilus doliatus 16–17cm. Most widespread

and familiar antbird, a poster child for the family. Favors second-growth

thickets, forest edge, gallery woodland; rarely forest interior. Fairly skulking,

usually in pairs foraging methodically at low to mid-levels in tangles. Male

unmistakable; female might suggest a wren but note staring pale eyes, stout

hooked bill, spiky erectile crest, unbarred wings and tail. Juv. male barred

blackish and creamy buff, soon attains adult-like plumage. Pacific-slope males

average more extensive white in crown. SOUNDS: Song a fairly rapid, laughing

series of (about 20–40) nasal notes, accelerating into a roll before ending

abruptly with an emphatic yap, ah-ah…anh!; 2–3 secs; both sexes sing, female higher. Common call a

gruff slurred growl, ahrrrr. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes, to 1500m; less numerous

in humid areas, commonest in drier nw. lowlands. (Mexico to S America.)

FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE  Cymbilaimus lineatus 17–18cm. Large, heavy-

billed antshrike of vine tangles and thickets in humid forest and edge, gaps

inside forest and along streams, adjacent taller second growth. Rather sluggish

and deliberate, skulking at low to mid-levels and usually difficult to see well,

but often heard. Note finely barred plumage, very stout bill, reddish eyes, bushy

crest. Distinctive, but cf. male Barred Antshrike. SOUNDS: Song a measured

series of (usually 5–8) hollow, slightly rising or overslurred nasal whistles,

whiéuh whiéuh..., 2–3 notes/sec; both sexes sing. Calls include a hard, slightly

gruff, slow chattering scold that may suggest a wren. STATUS: Uncommon to

fairly common on Caribbean slope, to 1200m. (Honduras to S America.)

GREAT ANTSHRIKE  Taraba major 19–21cm. Easily heard but rarely seen, a

skulking denizen of second-growth thickets, leafy vine tangles, canebrakes, and

forest edge in humid lowlands. Usually in pairs, foraging at low to mid-levels in

shady tangles. Distinctive if seen, with very heavy hooked bill, staring red eyes,

clean white underparts. Juv. has duller eyes, soft dusky scalloping on underparts,

cinnamon tips to wing coverts. SOUNDS: Song a bouncing-ball series of (about

15–30) hollow whistles accelerating toward the end and fading quickly; often

ends with a quiet snarl, hard to hear at a distance, koh, koh..., 3–4 secs; both

sexes sing. Cf. song of Black-headed Trogon. Calls include hard chak notes and

growls, and a gruff rattle. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1000m.

(Mexico to S America.)