The undulated antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland rainforest of eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Amazonian Brazil. It favors terra firme forest but also uses seasonally flooded várzea, vine tangles, and Guadua bamboo stands. Most activity is in the shaded understory to lower midstory, typically within a few meters above ground. It is local but can be fairly common where intact forest persists. Sensitive to heavy fragmentation and avoids open edges.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The undulated antshrike is a secretive understory bird of the western Amazon Basin, usually encountered in pairs. It often keeps to dense tangles and bamboo, where it methodically gleans insects and occasionally follows army-ant swarms. Males and females look very different, with females showing the striking wavy barring that gives the species its name. Its low, mournful whistles carry surprisingly far through the rainforest.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found as territorial pairs moving quietly through dense understory. Likely forms long-term monogamous bonds, with both sexes participating in territory defense. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation, and both adults tend to young. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks but more often forages independently or as a pair.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short series of low, mournful whistles that may rise and slightly fall in pitch. Calls include soft clucks and churrs given while foraging. Vocalizations carry well in dense forest and are key to detection.
Plumage
Strongly sexually dimorphic. Male is mostly sooty-black with subtle pale spotting or mottling on the wings and back; female is rich rufous-brown to cinnamon with bold, wavy black barring across the body. Both sexes have a heavy, hooked antshrike bill and dense, slightly shaggy-looking plumage in the throat and breast.
Diet
Primarily arthropods such as beetles, spiders, orthopterans, and caterpillars. Will also take small vertebrates like tiny lizards or frogs on occasion. Forages by deliberate gleaning, peering, and short pounces onto prey on leaves, vines, and trunks. Sometimes attends army-ant swarms to seize fleeing insects.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of mature rainforest, especially vine tangles and bamboo thickets. Often forages 1–5 meters above ground along shaded trails, stream margins, and interior forest. Avoids open areas and heavily disturbed edges.
