Red-tailed Ant-Thrush
NameRed-tailed Ant-Thrush
Common NameRed-tailed Ant-Thrush
Scientific NameNeocossyphus rufus
FamilyMuscicapidae
Wingspan (cm)26
Length (cm)20
Weight (g)35
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dark brown, with the head and breast being a darker greyish-brown. The lower belly, vent, and tail are a distinctive rufous-chestnut, providing a strong contrast. The bill is dark and relatively slender.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of clear, whistled notes, often descending in pitch. It may also produce a soft, repeated 'tew-tew-tew' sound.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThis species is found in West and Central Africa, with its range extending from Sierra Leone eastward through countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reaching as far east as Uganda and south to Angola.
Identifying FeaturesRufous-chestnut tail and vent, Dark brown upperparts and greyish-brown head/breast, Terrestrial foraging behavior in dense forest undergrowth, Relatively long legs for a thrush-like bird
Description
The Red-tailed Ant-Thrush is a medium-sized, terrestrial bird of the forest floor, known for its rather plain brown plumage contrasted by a striking rufous-chestnut tail. It typically forages quietly among leaf litter, often flicking its tail as it searches for invertebrates.
