The white-browed antbird is a species of perching bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Amazon Basin and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across tropical lowland forests from Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas through much of the Amazon in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and into northern Bolivia. It favors dense understory in terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, as well as old second-growth and river-edge thickets. Often associated with bamboo and tangles near the ground. Most populations are sedentary and maintain year-round territories.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antbird is strongly tied to the dim forest understory, where it often slips through vine tangles and bamboo thickets. Pairs keep close contact with soft calls and sometimes duet, especially near the nest. Like many antbirds, it may shadow swarms of army ants to snatch flushed insects, though it also forages independently along the forest floor.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs that defend small territories in dense understory. Nests are placed low, often near the ground, where both sexes participate in incubation and chick-rearing. Outside breeding, it remains paired and rarely joins mixed-species flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short series of clear, accelerating whistles that may rise or fall slightly in pitch. Calls include sharp chips and scolds given while foraging or when alarmed, and pairs may deliver soft duets during close contact.
