The sooty ant tanager is a species of bird in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). It was formerly placed with the true tanagers in the family Thraupidae and was assigned to the genus Habia with the red-crowned ant tanager.
Region
Northern Andes foothills and inter-Andean valleys of Colombia
Typical Environment
Primarily found in lowland and foothill forests within the Magdalena River valley and adjacent slopes. It favors dense secondary growth, forest edges, riverine thickets, and scrubby tangles where cover is plentiful. The species keeps to the shaded understory and midstory, especially near streams and along forest margins. It may occur locally in disturbed habitats if sufficient understory remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty ant tanager is a member of the cardinal family (Cardinalidae), formerly placed with the true tanagers in Thraupidae. It is endemic to Colombia and often accompanies army-ant swarms to snatch flushed arthropods. Males show a striking crimson throat patch that can be flared during display, while females are duller. It keeps to dense understory, making it more often heard than seen.
Sooty Ant-Tanager
Sooty Ant-Tanager male with crest raised
Temperament
secretive but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups, keeping close contact calls while moving through the understory. Often follows army-ant swarms to ambush flushed prey and may join mixed-species flocks at times. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in dense vegetation; both parents participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of sharp, slightly buzzy whistles delivered from low perches, interspersed with chipping notes. Calls include dry chips and scolding trills used to maintain contact in dense cover.
Plumage
Overall sooty to charcoal plumage with a smooth, matte appearance; underparts slightly paler. Male shows a vivid crimson throat patch that contrasts with the dark head and breast; female is duller with a faint orangish or reddish wash on the throat.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. It captures prey by gleaning from leaves and twigs and by sallying to the ground or low foliage. It frequently exploits army-ant swarms to catch prey flushed from the leaf litter. Small fruits may be taken occasionally but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and thickets along forest edges, riparian corridors, and secondary growth. Foraging often occurs a meter or two above ground or at the leaf-litter interface near ant swarms.
