The black-faced antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and foothill humid forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Prefers dense understory of terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, often near dense thickets, bamboo, or tangled viney areas. Forages mostly on or near the ground in shaded interiors and along quiet trails and streams. Frequently attends army ant swarms but also forages independently by gleaning and pouncing in the leaf litter.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antbird often follows army ant swarms to snatch insects and other arthropods flushed from the leaf litter, though it is not strictly dependent on them. It keeps close to the forest floor and is more often heard than seen, giving sharp chips and clear whistles. Males show a striking black facial mask, while females are browner and less contrasting. It ranges widely across the Amazon Basin and adjacent foothills.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically found alone or in pairs, maintaining small territories within dense understory. Pairs are thought to be monogamous and communicate with soft contact calls. Nests are placed low, often in dense vegetation or near the ground; both sexes likely share incubation and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, whistled notes that may rise then fall, delivered from low perches within the understory. Calls include sharp chips and dry ticks, especially when attending ant swarms or communicating with a mate.
Plumage
Male is slaty-gray with a bold black face and throat, clean gray underparts, and two contrasting white wingbars; female is warm brown to olive-brown above with paler buffy underparts and a reduced, dusky facial area. Both sexes have relatively plain tails and subtle pale edging on wing coverts.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects and other small arthropods such as spiders and caterpillars. Often takes prey flushed by columns of army ants, quickly darting to the ground to seize items. Also gleans from leaves, vines, and fallen branches, and makes short sallies to the ground. Rarely, it may take small invertebrates from rotting wood or mossy trunks.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dim, dense understory and on the forest floor of primary and mature secondary rainforest. Common around ant swarms, along narrow trails, and near stream edges where leaf litter accumulates.
