The bamboo antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
Region
Southwestern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland forests of Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil, mainly where dense Guadua bamboo forms extensive thickets. It favors riverine and floodplain edges, secondary growth, and terra firme forest with bamboo understory. The species is patchily distributed, closely tracking bamboo dynamics following disturbance. It typically remains within the lower to mid understory, rarely venturing into open forest.
Altitude Range
100–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A bamboo specialist of the southwestern Amazon Basin, the bamboo antshrike is closely tied to dense Guadua thickets. It often travels in pairs, giving duets while moving quietly through the understory. Its distribution is patchy, tracking bamboo stands that appear and disappear after natural disturbances. Despite this specialization, it is currently assessed as Least Concern due to its broad range.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or family groups maintaining small territories within bamboo. Pairs often duet, especially at dawn, while foraging low in dense cover. Nesting is presumed to be low in bamboo or adjacent understory, with both sexes participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of soft, accelerating whistles and churrs, often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls include dry chips and harsh scolds from deep within bamboo clumps.
Plumage
Warm brown to rufous-brown overall with darker barring on wings and tail; underparts duller with faint mottling. Heavy, hooked antshrike bill and slightly tousled crown give a robust look. Females often show warmer rufous tones; males can appear slightly duskier with more contrast. Subtle pale supercilium and dusky cheeks may be visible at close range.
Diet
Primarily takes arthropods, including insects and spiders, gleaned from bamboo culms, leaves, and dead leaf clusters. It probes under leaf sheaths and picks prey from tangled vines and stems. Short sallies are used to snatch flushed insects at close range.
Preferred Environment
Feeds almost exclusively in dense Guadua bamboo stands, often near rivers, oxbow lakes, and forest edges. It stays in the lower to mid understory, using cover to move methodically between culms.
