White-bearded Antshrike
NameWhite-bearded Antshrike
Common NameWhite-bearded Antshrike
Scientific NameBiatas nigropectus
FamilyThamnophilidae
Wingspan (cm)28
Length (cm)17.5
Weight (g)27.5
Plumage DetailsMales have dark brown upperparts, a rufous crest, a black throat and breast, and a prominent white malar stripe. Females are similar but have a rufous throat and breast instead of black, with rufous flanks and a rufous tail. Both sexes have a stocky build and a relatively short tail.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is typically a series of clear, whistled notes that often accelerate and descend in pitch, described as a rapid 'whee-whee-whee-whee-whee' or a descending whistle.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil (from Espírito Santo south to Santa Catarina) and extreme northeastern Argentina (Misiones province) and eastern Paraguay.
Identifying FeaturesProminent rufous crest, White malar stripe ('white beard'), Sexual dimorphism in throat/breast color (black in males, rufous in females), Prefers dense understory and bamboo thickets
Description
The White-bearded Antshrike is a medium-sized antbird characterized by its prominent rufous crest and a distinctive white malar stripe, giving it a 'bearded' appearance. It typically forages in the dense understory of humid forests, often in bamboo thickets, searching for insects.
