The pearly antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin (northwestern and central)
Typical Environment
This species inhabits the shaded understory of mature lowland evergreen rainforest, especially tall terra firme forest with dense vine tangles. It can also occur in semi-open interior edges, treefall gaps, and along shaded streams and ravines. It is generally tied to interior forest structure and avoids heavily degraded or fragmented habitats. Birds are most often encountered 1–5 m above the ground, moving quietly through thickets.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The pearly antshrike is a secretive understory antbird and the sole member of the genus Megastictus. Males have striking pearly white spotting that gives the species its name, while females are warm brown and more cryptic. It often joins mixed-species flocks and occasionally attends army-ant swarms to snatch flushed arthropods. Voice is key to detection, as it stays low in dense vine tangles and rarely ventures into open areas.
Pearly antshrike near Mitú, Vaupés, Colombia
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found as pairs maintaining territories year-round in the forest understory. Pairs often duet and keep close contact while foraging. Nest is a small, suspended cup placed low in dense vegetation; both sexes participate in nesting and parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a clear, ringing series of whistles that often descends slightly and carries well through dense forest. Pairs may perform antiphonal duets, with the female answering the male’s phrases. Calls include soft chips and rattling notes used for close contact.
Plumage
Male is dark slate to blackish with numerous round, pearly white spots on the back, wings, and sometimes flanks; female is warm rufous-brown with lighter buffy spotting and a paler throat. Both sexes have a dense, sleek understory-adapted plumage that appears matte in low light. Wings are short and rounded; tail modest and often flicked.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as insects and spiders, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. It sally-strikes short distances to capture prey flushed from cover. Occasionally joins mixed flocks and may attend army-ant swarms to capture prey escaping the ants.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory 1–5 m above the ground, especially in viney thickets, along shaded ravines, and at edges of treefall gaps. Prefers interior forest microhabitats with complex structure for concealment.
