The planalto slaty antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Brazilian Highlands and Cerrado
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Brazilian Planalto from central to southeastern Brazil, primarily in cerrado mosaics, gallery forests, semi-deciduous woodland, and forest edges. It favors dense understory and vine tangles, often along waterways and in secondary growth. The species is generally absent from continuous, humid lowland rainforest, preferring drier, more open woodland structures. It is typically encountered in pairs within well-defined territories.
Altitude Range
200–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to Brazil’s Planalto (Brazilian Highlands), this antshrike frequents cerrado woodlands, gallery forests, and forest edges. Males and females look very different, with males slaty-gray and females warm rufous-brown. Pairs often duet, making their presence known despite a preference for dense cover. It sometimes joins mixed-species flocks while gleaning insects in the understory.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs that maintain and defend territories year-round. Pairs often duet and keep close contact while foraging in dense understory. Nest is a small cup placed low to mid-level in shrubs or vines; both sexes participate in incubation and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, accelerating whistles given by the male, often answered by a softer, harsher reply from the female. Calls include sharp chips and scolds when alarmed. Duets help pairs stay coordinated in thick cover.
Plumage
Male is mostly uniform slaty-gray with contrasting white wingbars; female is warm rufous-brown above with paler, buffy underparts and lighter wingbars. Both sexes have a stout, slightly hooked bill and darker tail. Plumage is fairly plain overall, relying on wingbars and overall tone for identification.
Diet
Primarily feeds on arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and occasionally sallies short distances to snatch flushed insects. It may sometimes attend mixed-species flocks, but is not an obligate ant-follower.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory of cerrado woodland, gallery forest, and secondary growth, especially near forest edges and along streams. Often uses vine tangles and shrub layers between 0.5–3 m above ground.
