The silvered antbird is a passerine bird in the subfamily Thamnophilinae of the family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds." It is found in Trinidad and every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occupies lowland tropical forests, especially seasonally flooded várzea and igapó, swamp forests, and dense river-edge thickets. It also uses vine tangles, secondary growth near water, and gallery forests along streams. Typically stays in the shaded understory close to the ground. On Trinidad it occurs in similar wet forest and riparian habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The silvered antbird is a typical antbird that often forages near army-ant swarms, snatching flushed insects from dense understory. Males and females look markedly different, with males slaty to blackish and females warm rufous-brown. It favors swampy or seasonally flooded forests and river-edge thickets, and it occurs on Trinidad as well as across much of northern South America. Several subspecies vary slightly in tone and spotting across its broad range.
At Sacha Lodge, Ecuador (flash photo)
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering dashes
Social Behavior
Usually seen as pairs or family groups in dense understory, keeping low and moving quietly. Pairs maintain territories and may duet, especially at dawn. Nests are shallow cups placed low in shrubs or tangles near water, with both sexes participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, sharp whistles delivered in an accelerating or slightly descending pattern. Calls include dry chips and harsh notes given while foraging or when alarmed.
Plumage
Male is slaty to blackish with pale speckling or spotting on the wings and back; female is warm rufous-brown with paler underparts and less contrasting spotting. Both sexes show a plain, dark tail and a subtly barred or mottled look in the wings. Feathers appear smooth and close-fitting, enhancing a sleek, shadowy appearance in understory light.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other small arthropods, including beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. Often attends army-ant swarms to seize prey flushed from leaf litter. Also gleans and probes among vine tangles, fallen branches, and shady understory foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages within 0–3 m of the ground in dense, wet understory of flooded forests, swamps, and along stream margins. Frequently works edges of trails and natural light gaps where insects are more active.
