The white-shouldered antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Western and central Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical moist forests of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It favors dense understory in terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, including vine tangles, Heliconia and bamboo thickets, and forest edges. Often near the forest floor along stream margins and in secondary growth with thick cover. It is generally absent from heavily degraded open areas but tolerates some disturbance where understory remains intact.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This antbird skulked-through understory tangles is named for the male’s crisp white shoulder patches that flash in low light. It frequently attends army-ant swarms to snatch insects flushed from the leaf litter, though it also forages independently. Pairs keep close contact and often perform antiphonal duets.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found as territorial pairs moving quietly through dense understory. Nests are placed low, often in tangles or shrubs, and both sexes participate in care. Pairs maintain contact with soft calls and may duet.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, rising whistles that accelerates slightly and tapers at the end. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes, often exchanged antiphonally by mates.
Plumage
Male mostly black with contrasting bright white shoulder/wing patch; female warm brown to rufescent above with paler, buffy underparts and less conspicuous shoulder contrast. Plumage is smooth and close-fitting, aiding movement through dense understory.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as ants, beetles, spiders, and orthopterans gleaned from leaf litter and low vegetation. Frequently attends army-ant swarms to capture flushed prey. Occasionally takes small vertebrates or other invertebrates when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages within 0–2 m of the ground in thick understory, vine tangles, and bamboo stands. Often near forest edges, streams, and in secondary growth where cover is dense.
