The Roraiman antbird is a species of passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield tepuis
Typical Environment
Found in the upland and foothill evergreen forests surrounding Mount Roraima and adjacent tepuis of southern Venezuela, western Guyana, and northern Brazil (Roraima state). It occupies dense understory, vine tangles, and edge thickets, often near streams or on moist slopes. The species keeps close to the ground, moving through tangles and leaf litter. It is patchy but can be locally common where suitable habitat persists. Forest continuity and dense understory structure are important for its presence.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Roraiman antbird is a skulking understory specialist of the tepui region, often heard before it is seen. It forages low in dense thickets and leaf litter, occasionally attending army-ant swarms. Pairs keep close contact with soft calls and duets. Its restricted range spans the Mount Roraima area across Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found as pairs or single birds maintaining small territories in dense understory. Pairs often duet and keep contact with soft notes while foraging. Nests are usually placed low, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, mellow whistles that accelerate slightly and may end in a short trill. Calls include soft chips and harsher notes used for contact and alarm. Duets between mates are common in the breeding season.
Plumage
Male mostly sooty to slaty, fairly uniform with slightly darker wings and tail; female warmer brown to rufous-brown overall with darker tail. Both sexes show plain, unpatterned underparts and a slightly shaggy throat. Plumage is matte and adapted for camouflage in dim understory light.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as ants, beetles, spiders, and small orthopterans, gleaned from leaf litter, low branches, and vine tangles. It probes curled leaves and pecks at rotting wood and mossy bases. The species occasionally sallies a short distance to grab prey disturbed by movement. It may attend army-ant swarms to capture flushed insects but is not an obligate follower.
Preferred Environment
Forages within the shaded, humid understory of mature and secondary forests, especially near ravines and stream margins. Prefers dense tangles and sapling thickets where it can move low and concealed.
