The black-crested antshrike is a passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in tropical South America in Trinidad, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, and Peru.
Region
Tropical northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs from northern Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas into northern and northeastern Brazil, with populations on Trinidad and in parts of eastern Peru. Prefers dense second-growth, river-edge thickets, gallery forest, and mangroves. Most often found in low, tangled vegetation near water, forest edges, and clearings. It occupies disturbed habitats readily and can be common where cover is thick.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-crested antshrike is a striking antbird of dense thickets and mangroves, often encountered in vocal male–female pairs. It frequently duets, with coordinated songs that help maintain territory in tangled understory. Though it may attend ant swarms opportunistically, it mainly gleans insects from foliage and vine tangles. Its pale iris and bold wing patches make it unusually easy to pick out in dim understory light.
Female
the sub-species S. c. loretoyacuensis
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs that maintain small territories year-round. Pairs move together through dense understory, often keeping close contact with soft calls. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or vines.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Duets are common, with the male giving a series of sharp, accelerating notes answered by the female’s softer phrases. Calls include dry chips and scolds delivered from concealed perches.
Plumage
Male is mostly glossy black with an erect crest and bold white wing patches; tail may show small white tips. Female is warm rufous-brown above with buffy to cinnamon underparts and contrasting white wing spots. Both sexes have a sturdy, hooked bill typical of antshrikes and a pale iris that stands out in shade.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects and other arthropods such as beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and occasionally makes short sallies to seize prey. May take small vertebrates rarely and sometimes attends army ant swarms opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense secondary growth, mangrove edges, and riparian thickets, usually within 1–3 meters of the ground. Often works along edges of trails and clearings where cover remains thick.
