The white-bellied antbird, is a passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Panama, on Trinidad, and across northern South America. It is also called Swainson's antcatcher after William Swainson, who first described it scientifically.
Region
Panama, Trinidad, and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from central Panama through northern South America, including Trinidad, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and adjacent northern Brazil. It inhabits lowland tropical forest edges, secondary growth, gallery forests, and dense thickets. The species is comfortable in semi-open woodland and vine tangles and is often near the ground. It tolerates some habitat disturbance and can persist in second-growth and plantation edges where understory remains dense.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as Swainson's antcatcher, the white-bellied antbird is a terrestrial antbird that forages in dense understory and thickets. Pairs are highly vocal and often duet with coordinated sequences of whistles. It sometimes follows army-ant swarms to capture flushed insects but also forages independently along the forest floor. Its bold white belly contrasts with darker upperparts, aiding field identification in shadowy habitats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct through understory
Social Behavior
Typically found as territorial pairs that keep close to dense cover. Nests are usually placed low in shrubs or on the ground in concealed sites. Pairs engage in coordinated duets that reinforce territory and pair bond. They may attend army-ant swarms opportunistically but spend much time independently foraging on or near the ground.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, whistled notes that may accelerate or descend, often delivered as antiphonal duets between male and female. Calls include sharp chips and chatter given when agitated.
Plumage
Compact antbird with contrasting white belly and darker upperparts; wings and flanks often rich rufous. Male shows darker face and throat with cleaner white underparts; female is browner with warmer tones below and less contrasting throat.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and orthopterans. Often gleans from leaf litter and low vegetation, making short pounces to the ground. Will follow army-ant swarms to capture prey flushed from the leaf litter but does not depend exclusively on them.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, vine tangles, and thickets along forest edges and in secondary growth. Frequently near the ground in shaded microhabitats where leaf litter accumulates.
