The black-headed antbird is a species of passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland forests across northern South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and parts of eastern Peru. Favors dense understory in terra firme forest, edges of seasonally flooded (várzea) forest, gallery woodland, and older secondary growth. Often keeps close to vine tangles, fallen logs, and thickets where it moves low to the ground. It may join mixed-species flocks locally but more often forages as a pair. Frequently attends but does not depend on army-ant swarms.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This understory antbird often forages in pairs in dense lowland forest and will opportunistically attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed insects. Males have a distinctly dark head that gives the species its common name, while females are warmer brown with a rufous-tinged forehead. Its simple, whistled song is frequently given as antiphonal duets between partners. Though widespread, it can be sensitive to heavy forest degradation.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief hops through understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered as pairs that maintain year-round territories. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation; both sexes participate in incubation and feeding young. May loosely associate with mixed flocks near the ground but usually keeps to itself or its mate.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a simple, clear series of whistles that may accelerate slightly and is often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls include sharp chips and soft buzzes used for contact in dense cover.
