The stub-tailed antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region (W Colombia to NW Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill rainforests of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, especially within the Chocó. It favors dense, shadowy understory near streams, vine tangles, and thickets, and also uses secondary forest with intact undergrowth. The species is typically found close to the forest floor and along edges where cover remains thick. Habitat loss from deforestation can restrict it to remnant forest patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive understory specialist of the Chocó forests, the stub-tailed antbird is named for its conspicuously short tail that helps it maneuver through dense vegetation. It often forages near the ground and may attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed insects, though it is not an obligate follower. Pairs maintain territories year-round and frequently duet, a hallmark of many antbirds.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually found as solitary individuals or in pairs that defend territories year-round. Pairs often duet, with coordinated songs used to maintain pair bonds and mark territory. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation, and both sexes participate in nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear whistles and chipping notes that may accelerate or end in a short trill; pairs often deliver antiphonal duets. Calls include sharp scolds and soft contact notes from the understory.
