The upland antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in the eastern Andes of Bolivia and southeastern Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occupies the humid foothill and cloud-forest belt on the eastern Andean slopes of southeastern Peru and Bolivia. Favors dense secondary growth, forest edges, vine tangles, and Chusquea bamboo within montane evergreen forest. Typically stays in the lower to mid understory, working methodically through thickets. It may occur near small clearings and along riparian corridors where cover remains.
Altitude Range
600–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antshrike inhabits humid montane forests on the east slope of the Andes in southeastern Peru and Bolivia. It forages quietly in dense understory and bamboo, often in pairs that keep contact with soft calls and occasional duets. Like many antbirds, it mostly gleans insects from foliage and vines but may also sally for prey or briefly attend army-ant swarms.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats over brief distances
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs that maintain small territories year-round, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Nests are typically small cups placed low in dense vegetation. Both sexes participate in territorial duets and cooperate in raising the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short series of clear, slightly accelerating whistles that may end with a sharper note. Calls include dry ticks and soft churrs used for contact between mates.
Plumage
Compact antshrike with strong, hooked bill; males are mostly slaty-gray with contrasting pale wingbars, females are warm rufous-brown with similar wingbars and paler underparts. Both sexes show relatively plain underparts and a clean face with minimal streaking. Tail is medium length and often flicked while foraging.
Diet
Primarily hunts arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and orthopterans. It mostly gleans from leaves and twigs but will make short sallies to snatch flushed prey. Occasionally follows army-ant swarms opportunistically to capture fleeing insects. Small vertebrates are rarely taken.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and bamboo thickets within humid montane forest and at forest margins. Also uses vine tangles and second-growth scrub near clearings and along streams.
