White-shouldered Antshrike
NameWhite-shouldered Antshrike
Common NameWhite-shouldered Antshrike
Scientific NameThamnophilus aethiops
FamilyThamnophilidae
Wingspan (cm)22
Length (cm)15
Weight (g)24
Plumage DetailsMales are glossy black overall, with a small, often hidden, white patch on the bend of the wing (shoulder). Some subspecies may show faint white speckling or barring on the wings. Females are rufous-brown with a slightly paler belly.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations typically consist of a series of accelerating, ringing notes that often end in a trill or a rapid chatter.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across the Amazon basin in South America, including parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Identifying FeaturesAll-black plumage with a concealed white shoulder patch (male), Rufous-brown plumage (female), Stocky build with a relatively strong, hooked bill, Typical antshrike vocalizations, Foraging behavior in the understory of humid forests
Description
The White-shouldered Antshrike is a medium-sized antbird typically found in the understory of humid lowland forests. Males are almost entirely black with a small, often concealed, white patch on the shoulder, while females are rufous-brown. They are generally observed foraging for insects, often in pairs.
