Band-tailed Antshrike
NameBand-tailed Antshrike
Common NameBand-tailed Antshrike
Scientific NameHypocnemis maculicauda
FamilyThamnophilidae
Wingspan (cm)17
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)12
Plumage DetailsThe male is entirely glossy black with prominent white tips to the tail feathers and sometimes subtle white spotting on the wing coverts. The female is duller, typically brownish-olive above, with a rufous crown and underparts, also featuring white tail tips. The bird in the image is a male.
Vocalization / CallIts song is a distinctive series of accelerating, rising whistles, often transcribed as 'pee-pee-pee-PEE-PEE-PEE-pew-pew'. It also produces sharp 'chip' calls.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the southwestern Amazon basin, primarily in southeastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil.
Identifying Featuresall-black plumage (male), white-tipped tail feathers, small size, stocky build, humid forest understory habitat
Description
A small, stocky antbird, the male Band-tailed Antshrike is entirely glossy black with striking white tail tips. It inhabits the understory of humid lowland forests, where it forages for insects, often as part of mixed-species flocks.
