The variable antshrike is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from southeast Peru and Bolivia through Paraguay and much of Brazil to Uruguay and northern Argentina. It inhabits forest edges, secondary growth, gallery forests, and scrubby thickets, especially where there is dense understory. The species uses bamboo stands, vine tangles, and riparian vegetation, and readily occupies disturbed or semi-open woodland. It is common in foothill and low montane zones as well as lowlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The variable antshrike earns its name from the striking geographic variation in plumage, with males typically gray and females rufous but showing many local morphs. It forages methodically in dense understory, often in pairs, and sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Though an antbird, it is not an obligate ant follower and mostly gleans insects from foliage and vines.
Female T. c. caerulescens from São Paulo, Brazil
male T. c. melanochrous; illustration by Joseph Smit, 1876
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found as territorial pairs moving quietly through dense understory. It builds a cup nest low in shrubs or saplings, with both parents participating in incubation and feeding. Frequently accompanies mixed-species flocks but maintains pair cohesion.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Male song is a clear, whistled series that may accelerate or descend slightly, often delivered from concealed perches. Pairs may duet, with the female giving softer notes. Calls include sharp chips and scolds when agitated.
Plumage
Males are mostly slate-gray with darker wings and tail, usually showing pale or white wing bars and subtle tail barring; females are warm rufous to buffy with darker wings and tail and variable barring. Subspecies vary from boldly barred to nearly plain. The bill is stout and slightly hooked, and the overall impression is of a compact, understory antbird.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and orthopterans, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. It occasionally sallies to snatch prey and may take small vertebrates opportunistically. While it can attend army-ant swarms, it is not specialized for ant-following and typically forages independently.
Preferred Environment
Favors dense understory in edge habitats, secondary forests, and riparian thickets. Often forages 0.5–3 m above ground within bamboo, young saplings, and viney growth.
