The Amazonian antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Amazon Basin and Guianas
Typical Environment
Widely distributed across lowland tropical forests of the Amazon and adjacent regions, including river islands, floodplain (várzea) and terra firme edges, and dense second growth. It favors tangled understory along rivers and oxbow lakes, viney thickets, and forest-edge scrub. Often found near water and in early successional habitats created by flooding or disturbance. Occurs in both primary and secondary forest, especially where there is a dense shrub layer.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A member of the antbird family, the Amazonian antshrike spends much of its time in dense riverside thickets and forest edges where it forages methodically for hidden prey. Pairs often keep close contact with soft calls and engage in coordinated duets. It sometimes follows army ant swarms to snatch flushed insects, though it is not an obligate ant-follower. Its strong, hooked bill is adapted for prying insects from curled leaves and vine tangles.
Temperament
secretive but vocal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small family groups holding territories in dense thickets. Pairs maintain contact with soft calls and perform antiphonal duets. Nests are small cups placed low in dense vegetation; both sexes participate in nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short, accelerating series of sharp, whistled notes that rises slightly in volume before ending abruptly. Calls include dry chips and a rattling churr. Pairs often duet with alternating phrases that sound tightly coordinated.
Plumage
Male is largely slaty-gray to blackish with contrasting white wingbars and a sturdy, hooked bill. Female is warm rufous-brown to olive-brown above with paler buffy underparts and similar white wingbars; tail may show faint barring. Both sexes have dense, plain plumage suited to shadowy understory habitat.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects and other arthropods such as beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and orthopterans. Uses gleaning and pry-and-peek techniques to extract prey from dead leaf clusters and vine tangles. Will sally short distances to seize flushed prey and occasionally attends army ant swarms opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory along river edges, flooded forest margins, and secondary growth with abundant vines and shrubs. Often works 0.5–3 m above ground in shady, cluttered microhabitats where prey is concealed.
