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BLACK-CROWNED [SLATY] ANTSHRIKE  Thamnophilus atrinucha 14–

15cm. Medium-size antshike of humid lowland forest understory and edge,

second growth thickets, plantations. Fairly skulking, mainly at low to mid-

levels in thickets and tangles; usually in pairs that sometimes associate with

mixed flocks. Male distinctive, with bold white spots on wings and tail, black

cap, stout bill. Female usually with male; note bold wing and tail spotting; cf.

antvireos. Both sexes have white back patch usually concealed, flared in display.

Imm. male resembles adult male but has brownish wings. SOUNDS: Song a rapid

series of (about 15–30) nasal cah or aah notes ending with a more emphatic

ahk, 1.5–2.5 secs; suggests Barred Antshrike but more even-paced, averages slightly lower, often ends less

emphatically; both sexes sing. Calls include a nasal cawing aáanh, overall descending and sometimes

doubled; and a low purring growl, ah’rrrrrrrrr, about 1.5 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope

to 1000m, local on n. Pacific slope. (Guatemala to w. Ecuador.)

BLACK-HOODED ANTSHRIKE  Thamnophilus bridgesi 16–17cm. Poorly

named but distinctive and relatively conspicuous antshrike of humid forest

understory and tangles, second growth, mangroves; pairs often associate with

mixed flocks and can be quite confiding. Male blackish overall: note white wing

dots; female very different, with distinctively streaked head and breast.

SOUNDS: Song a fairly rapid, accelerating series of (about 15–20) nasal ah notes

ending with an emphatic downslurred or overslurred eáah; 2–3 secs; both sexes

sing, female higher; cf. song of Barred Antshrike. Calls include series of (usually

6–12) sharply overslurred, slightly wooden clucks, ahk-ahk..., 5 notes/sec, can

suggest a Turdus thrush. STATUS: Fairly common to common on Pacific slope, to 1200m. (Costa Rica to

w. Panama.)

RUSSET ANTSHRIKE  Thamnistes anabatinus 14.5–15.5cm. Rather plain,

medium-size arboreal antshrike of humid foothill forest, adjacent taller second

growth. Inconspicuous, sluggish, and easily overlooked, mainly at mid–upper

levels, foraging in vine tangles, dead-leaf clusters; often joins mixed flocks of

antwrens, greenlets, tanagers. Distinctive but uneventful, with stout hooked

bill, broad pale eyebrow; sexes similar, but male has concealed pale tawny patch

on back, flared in interactions. Most likely to be mistaken for an ovenbird, cf.

larger and brighter Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, juv. Red-faced Spinetail

(p. 256). SOUNDS: Song a high slurred whistle followed by an unhurried series

of (usually 4–6) high whistled notes, tssieur, tsiu-tsiu-tsiu-tsiu-tsiu, 2–2.5 secs. Calls include a high, thin,

slightly sibilant tsip-si, and upslurred sweek. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common (most numerous on s.

Pacific slope), to 1500m, mainly in foothills. (Mexico to n. Peru.)