The spot-winged antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Myrmornithinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly French Guiana.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the Amazon lowlands of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, and may extend into French Guiana. It inhabits humid terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, as well as forest edges and tall secondary growth. Most activity is in the shaded understory and midstory, where it moves through vine tangles and thickets. It can be locally common where dense undergrowth is present and disturbance is moderate.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The spot-winged antshrike is a lowland Amazonian antbird best recognized by its neat white spots on the wing coverts. It forages quietly in pairs in dense understory and often joins mixed-species flocks. Though an antbird, it is not an obligate ant follower and mostly gleans insects from foliage and vines.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found as pairs moving methodically through dense understory, often keeping to cover. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks but maintains pair cohesion. The nest is a small, suspended cup placed low to mid-level in vegetation, with typically two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a clear, measured series of whistles that may accelerate slightly, often followed by a short rattle. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes used between pair members.
Plumage
Compact antshrike with plain to slightly streaked upperparts and a distinctive panel of neat white spots on the wing coverts; underparts grayish to buff with subtle barring toward the flanks and tail.
Diet
Primarily takes arthropods such as beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, with occasional short sallies to snatch prey. It may sometimes attend army-ant swarms opportunistically but is not an obligate follower.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and vine-choked edges within humid lowland forest, including along streams and in várzea. Also uses tall secondary growth where cover is continuous.
