The slate-colored antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in the lowland rainforests of Brazil (western Amazon), Colombia (southeastern), Ecuador (eastern), and Peru (Amazonian). It inhabits dense understory of terra firme and seasonally flooded várzea forests, as well as river-edge thickets and old secondary growth. The species keeps close to the ground and lower midstory, moving through tangles and viney thickets. It is frequently associated with army-ant swarms and will also forage along forest streams and trails.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antbird often attends army-ant swarms, snatching insects and other arthropods flushed by the ants, though it is not an obligate follower. Pairs are strongly territorial and frequently duet, creating an antiphonal song that helps maintain pair bonds. Males are slate-gray while females are rufous-brown, making the species notably dimorphic. It occupies dense understory in Amazonian lowland forests and is typically difficult to see but vocal.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered as pairs maintaining year-round territories in the forest understory. They follow army ants to feed and may form loose associations with other ant-following birds at swarms. Nests are typically placed low, and both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, resonant whistles delivered in duets by the pair, often antiphonal with the female answering the male. Calls include sharp chips and scolds given when agitated near nests or at ant swarms.
Plumage
Male is largely uniform slate-gray with slightly darker face and throat; female is rich rufous-brown with duller gray tones limited to the head or nape depending on subspecies. Both sexes have dense, smooth plumage suited for moving through tangles and often show faint rufous edging on the wings. Tail is rounded and dark.
Diet
Primarily arthropods including insects, spiders, and their larvae. Frequently takes prey flushed by army-ant swarms, darting to the ground or low perches to seize items. Also gleans from leaf litter, low branches, and fallen logs, occasionally sallying short distances for flying insects.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory of terra firme and várzea forests, along shady streams, and in vine tangles. Often forages near or directly over army-ant swarms within 0–3 meters of the ground.
