Black-faced Antthrush
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| Black-faced Antthrush | ||||||||||||||
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| Formicarius analis d'Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1837 |
The Black-faced Antthrush (Formicarius analis), is a passerine bird which breeds in the tropical New World from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Trinidad.
This antthrush is a common and widespread forest bird which builds a leaf-lined nest in a cavity in a hollow branch or stump; two white eggs are laid.
The Black-faced Antthrush is similar in general appearance to a rail, with a dumpy body, horizontal carriage, stout bill and short cocked tail. It walks rather than hops, with a jerky motion again reminiscent of a rail.
This species is typically 18–19 cm long, and weighs 59 g. The upperparts are rufous brown, and the underparts are paler brown, except for the black face and throat, and rufous under the tail and behind the eye. The sexes are alike in plumage.
The Black-faced Antthrush is an insectivore which feeds on ants and other insects. It is quite terrestrial, feeding mainly on the ground. It will follow columns of army ants.
The call is a loud whistle followed by a series of 2–10 descending whistles, WHU! wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu-wu.
References
- Birds of Venezuela by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
- Birds of Trinidad and Tobago by ffrench, ISBN 0-7136-6759-1