Ant Thrushes: Formicariidae - Physical Characteristics, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Conservation Status, Barred Antshrike (thamnophilus Doliatus): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, ANT THRUSHES AND PEOPLE

found trees forested family

BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Antbirds are found in tropical and subtropical rainforests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. However, the greatest number of species is found in the rainforest of the Amazon River basin in Brazil and the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela.

Antbirds live in damp, shrubby, forested regions and woodland areas in the tropics, including areas where the original trees have been cut down and new trees are appearing. Species in this family can be found from sea level to high on forested mountains, up to 10,900 feet (3,300 meters).

The ant thrush family is of interest mainly to ornithologists, scientists who study birds, and birdwatchers interested in ecotourism, travel for the purpose of studying wildlife and the environment.

Flying Through the Mail

In 1980 the Central American country of Belize featured the barred antshrike on its 25 cent postage stamp.

Additional Topics

Ant Thrushes: Formicariidae - Physical Characteristics

Ant thrushes, also called antbirds, antcatchers, antpittas, antshrikes, or antwrens, are a family of small to medium-sized perching songbirds found in the rainforests of Central and South America. There are two major divisions within the ant thrush family, based on where the birds spend most of their time. About fifty-six species live on or near the forest floor and as a group are called ground an…

Ant Thrushes: Formicariidae - Behavior And Reproduction

Antbirds were given their name because of their special feeding behavior. In the rainforest colonies of ants often move together in huge swarms or columns when they are hunting for food. As the ants move, they stir up insects and small animals, such as mice and lizards. Antbirds have learned to take advantage of the movement of these ants, especially swarms of red army ants and black rain ants. Th…

Ant Thrushes: Formicariidae - Barred Antshrike (thamnophilus Doliatus): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: Barred antshrikes, sometimes called Chapman's antshrikes, are small, noisy birds about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Males are black with white bars and a black crest of feathers on their head. Females have black stripes, but are cinnamon or reddish brown colored, instead of white, and have a brown crest. Both males and females have yellow eyes, long tails, and s…

Ant Thrushes: Formicariidae - Gray Antbird (cercomacra Cinerascens): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: The gray antbird is a small bird of about 6 inches (16 centimeters) with a rather long tail. It is dark gray with a white band at the tip of the tail. Geographic range: Gray antbirds are found in the rainforests of northern South America, including Guyana, the southern part of Gray antbirds live in dense rainforests. They are most abundant in the Amazon River basin. (…

Citing this material

Please include a link to this page if you have found this material useful for research or writing a related article. Content on this website is from high-quality, licensed material originally published in print form. You can always be sure you're reading unbiased, factual, and accurate information.

Highlight the text below, right-click, and select “copy”. Paste the link into your website, email, or any other HTML document.