The black-throated antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is native to the Guiana Shield.
Region
Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana to northern Brazil (notably Roraima, Amapá, and northern Pará). Prefers lowland evergreen rainforest, especially terra firme and mature second growth with tangled vines and dense understory. It frequents forest interiors, edges of seasonally flooded forest, and streamside thickets. The species is typically uncommon but widespread within suitable habitat, avoiding heavily degraded areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large, dimorphic antshrike of the Guiana Shield, the male is mostly black while the female is rich rufous-brown. It often forages quietly in dense understory and may attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed prey. Its powerful, slightly hooked bill is adapted to taking large arthropods. The species is generally shy and more often heard than seen.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining year-round territories. Pairs communicate with duets and quietly follow one another through dense cover. Nest is typically a low, cup-like structure placed in vines or shrubs; both parents are believed to share care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Low, resonant whistles delivered in measured series, often starting with a clear note and continuing with slightly descending phrases. Calls include soft grunts and churrs given from concealed perches. The song carries well but is not loud compared to some other antshrikes.
Plumage
Male is largely glossy black with a velvety-black throat; female is rich rufous-brown with subtle darker barring on wings and tail. Both sexes have dense, smooth plumage suited to the understory and a heavy, hooked bill.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large arthropods such as beetles, orthopterans, spiders, and caterpillars, taken from foliage, vines, and trunks. It sometimes captures small vertebrates like frogs or lizards when available. The species frequently gleans methodically and will sally to the ground or snatch prey flushed by army-ant swarms. Foraging is deliberate, with long pauses and short dashes between cover.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and vine tangles of primary or well-developed secondary rainforest, often near streams or on gentle slopes. It works from near ground level up to the midstory but keeps close to cover. Commonly detected by sound within dark forest interiors.
