The blackish-grey antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Amazonia and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern Amazonian Brazil through the Guianas and into eastern Colombia and Venezuela, especially along major rivers and coastal lowlands. It favors mangroves, river-island scrub, and dense second-growth near water. The species is most frequently found in seasonally flooded várzea and igapó edges and in tangled vine thickets. It generally stays in the lowlands and along river corridors rather than deep terra firme forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A member of the Thamnophilidae, the blackish-grey antshrike is part of the former slaty antshrike complex and is specialized for dense, river-edge thickets and mangroves. Males are dark slaty while females are warm rufous-brown, and pairs often keep in close contact with duets. It forages methodically in tangles and often remains concealed, revealing itself more by voice than by appearance.
A male illustrated by Wolf, 1855
Temperament
territorial, usually in pairs
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low, concealed perches
Social Behavior
Typically found as monogamous pairs that maintain year-round territories in dense undergrowth. Nests are small, delicate cup nests placed low in vines or shrubs. Both sexes share incubation and feeding of nestlings. It may occasionally join mixed-species flocks along edges but remains mostly within dense cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male gives a clear, whistled series that may accelerate or slightly rise in pitch, carrying well through thickets. Pairs often duet, with the female answering more softly. Scolding calls are harsh, churring notes when agitated.
Plumage
Male is nearly uniform dark slaty to blackish with subtle pale spotting on the wing coverts; female is warm rufous-brown above with buffy to cinnamon underparts and less contrasting wings. Both sexes have a stout, hooked bill typical of antshrikes and relatively plain tails.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves, vine tangles, and thin branches. It picks prey deliberately from the understory and midstory and may sally short distances to snatch flushed insects. Spiders, beetles, and orthopterans are common items. It occasionally attends small ant swarms or edges of swarms but is not an obligate follower.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense mangroves, river-edge scrub, and young secondary growth near water. Most activity occurs within 0–4 m above ground in tangled vegetation where cover is thick.
