The streak-backed antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield tepuis (Venezuela, Guyana, northern Brazil)
Typical Environment
Occurs on forested slopes and summits of the tepui tablelands, favoring humid montane and submontane evergreen forest. It keeps to dense undergrowth, vine tangles, forest edges, and tall second growth near primary forest. Often found along ravines and stream gullies where vegetation is thick. The species is patchily distributed, tracking suitable tepui habitats across its range.
Altitude Range
600–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antshrike inhabits the tepui highlands of the Guiana Shield and is often detected by its bold, streaked back as it forages in dense vine tangles. Pairs maintain territories year‑round and frequently duet, a hallmark of many antbird species. It occasionally attends army-ant swarms but is not an obligate follower, preferring to glean insects from foliage and branches.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent hops through dense cover
Social Behavior
Typically encountered in pairs that hold territories throughout the year. Nests are small cups placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation; both sexes share incubation and care of young. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks along forest edges but remains within thick tangles.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, slightly accelerating whistles that may end in a harsher note; pairs often deliver coordinated duets. Calls include sharp chips and harsh scolds given from concealed perches.
Plumage
Males are dark gray to blackish with bold whitish streaks across the back and scapulars; wings faintly barred; underparts gray. Females are warm rufous to cinnamon-brown with paler buffy streaking on the back and plainer underparts. Both sexes have a sturdy, hooked bill and relatively long tail.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other arthropods such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, and ants. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and occasionally sallies to snatch flushed insects. May opportunistically take small vertebrates such as tiny lizards, but this is uncommon.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and midstory of humid montane forest, especially in vine tangles and along forest edges. Often forages near streams, ravines, and landslides where secondary growth is thick.
