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Overview
White-bibbed antbird

White-bibbed antbird

Wikipedia

The white-bibbed antbird is a species of passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.

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Distribution

Region

Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil

Typical Environment

Occurs in lowland and foothill evergreen forests along Brazil’s eastern Atlantic Forest belt. Prefers dense, shaded understory with abundant vine tangles, bamboo, and sapling thickets, often near stream gullies. Found in primary forest and older secondary growth but is less common in heavily degraded fragments. Typically keeps close to the ground, foraging from near the forest floor up to mid-understory.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size15–17 cm
Wing Span20–24 cm
Male Weight0.025 kg
Female Weight0.024 kg
Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The white-bibbed antbird is a skulking understory specialist of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, often moving in pairs through dense vine tangles and thickets. It primarily gleans arthropods from low vegetation and occasionally attends army-ant swarms to capture flushed prey. Males show a bold white throat and upper-breast “bib,” while females are browner with a subtler throat patch. Sensitive to habitat fragmentation, it benefits from protected, mature forest tracts.

Gallery

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Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually found in pairs that maintain year-round territories in dense understory. Nests are typically low, with both sexes participating in incubation and chick-rearing. It avoids open areas, moving methodically through cover and often remaining concealed.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Delivers a clear, whistled series that starts slightly louder and tapers off, with evenly spaced notes. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes exchanged between pair members.

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