The Humaita antbird is a species of passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
Region
Southwestern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical forest of Brazil, northeastern Bolivia, and southeastern Peru. Favors terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea/igapó) forests, especially dense thickets, vine tangles, and bamboo-rich understory. It forages mainly within a meter or two of the ground, moving through shadowy understory and along fallen logs. The species is generally tied to intact or lightly disturbed forest but can persist in well-structured secondary growth. It is typically patchy but locally fairly common where suitable understory is present.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Humaita antbird is a skulking understory specialist of the southwestern Amazon, often detected by its duet songs rather than seen. It belongs to the antbird family and will occasionally attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed prey, though it also forages independently. It was split from the Spot-winged Antbird complex, and males and females differ noticeably in plumage. Its name refers to the Humaitá region in Amazonas, Brazil.
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct through understory
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or family groups that maintain territories year-round. Pairs frequently duet and coordinate movements through dense cover. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or vine tangles; clutches are small and both parents attend.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, whistled notes that may accelerate or slightly descend, often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls include sharp chips and mellow whistles used to keep contact in dense vegetation.
Plumage
Male is dark slaty to blackish with small pale spots on the wing coverts and otherwise fairly uniform plumage; female is rich rufous-brown with similar subtle pale spotting on the wings. Both sexes show plain underparts without heavy streaking and have a sturdy, slightly hooked bill. The overall look is of a compact antbird with muted contrast except for the discrete wing spots.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects and other small arthropods such as spiders and beetles. It gleans prey from leaves, branches, and vine tangles and also picks items from the leaf litter or fallen logs. The species occasionally attends army-ant swarms to capture flushed invertebrates but is not an obligate follower. Foraging is methodical and typically low to the ground.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of terra firme and seasonally flooded forests, including bamboo thickets and vine tangles. Often along edges of small streams, treefall gaps with dense regrowth, and the interiors of mature forest where light is low.
