The spot-crowned antvireo is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Central America and the Chocó of northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Costa Rica through Panama to western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, mainly in humid evergreen forests. It favors dense understory and midstory of primary and well-developed secondary forests, forest edges, and vine tangles. Often found along ravines and stream corridors where vegetation is thick. It is typically inconspicuous, moving low to mid-levels within shaded, humid habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small antbird forages methodically in dense understory, often joining mixed-species flocks and occasionally attending army-ant swarms along the periphery. Males and females look quite different; the male shows a distinctly spotted crown that gives the species its name. Pairs maintain territories year-round and often duet with soft, whistled phrases.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low hops between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs that maintain territories year-round. Often associates with mixed-species flocks while foraging but keeps to dense cover. Nest is a small cup placed low to mid-levels; both sexes participate in incubation and care of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, deliberate series of clear, whistled notes, sometimes accelerating slightly. Calls include thin chips and short whistles, and pairs may give responsive duets from concealed perches.
Plumage
Compact antbird with short tail and two pale wingbars; male is gray with a blackish crown marked by neat white spots, female more olive-brown with a warmer, buffy crown and subtler spotting. Underparts in both sexes are grayish to pale, often slightly paler on the throat and belly.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects and spiders, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. It probes and picks prey methodically, occasionally making short sallies to snatch flushed insects. It may attend army-ant swarms opportunistically but is not an obligate follower.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and midstory of humid forest, including thickets and vine tangles. Often forages along forest edges, gullies, and near streams where insect activity is high.
