The black-bellied gnateater is a species of bird in the family Conopophagidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Brazilian Amazon
Typical Environment
Occurs in the eastern and south-central Amazon Basin of Brazil, primarily in lowland terra firme forest. It favors dense understory with vine tangles, bamboo patches, and forest edges, and also uses secondary growth where cover is thick. The species keeps close to the ground, frequenting shaded ravines and streamside thickets. It is local but can be fairly common where suitable understory persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory insectivore, the black-bellied gnateater is more often heard than seen, delivering clear whistled notes from dense thickets. Males have a striking dark belly that contrasts with warm rufous upperparts, while females are browner and duller. It typically forages close to the ground with short dashes and perches, gleaning small arthropods. Pairs defend small territories year-round in lowland forests of the Brazilian Amazon.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low flights close to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in dense understory. Pairs communicate with soft calls and coordinated movements while foraging. Nests are placed low, often a cup hidden in thick vegetation, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, piercing whistles that may accelerate slightly, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp chips and soft ticking notes, aiding pair contact in dense cover.
Plumage
Male shows warm rufous upperparts with a contrasting black belly and lower breast, a dark face with a bold pale eyebrow, and clean, neat feathering in the underparts. Female is browner overall with buffy to grayish underparts, lacking the solid black belly, and has a subtler facial pattern. Both sexes have compact, smooth plumage suited to maneuvering through dense understory.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans prey from leaves and twigs and makes short sallies to the ground or low trunks. Foraging is methodical and close to the ground, with brief pauses between quick dashes.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of terra firme forest, vine tangles, bamboo thickets, and forest edge. Also uses overgrown clearings and secondary growth where cover remains thick.
