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Antbirds

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Thamnophilidae

Genera

Many, see text.

The antbirds are a large family of smallish passerine bird species of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are closely related to the antthrushes and antpittas in the family Formicariidae.

These are forest birds, but tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat the small invertebrates that leave hiding to flee the ants.

Many species lack bright colour; brown, black and white being the dominant tones in their appearance.

They lay two or three eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating.

1 Systematics
2 References
3 External links

Systematics

There are some 200 species, variously called as antwrens, antvireos, antbirds and antshrikes. These terms refer to the relative sizes of the birds (increasing in the order given) rather than any particular morphological resemblance to the true wrens, vireos or shrikes. The genus Phlegopsis is the bare-eyes, Pyriglena the fire-eyes and Neoctantes and Clytoctantes are the bushbirds.

Although the taxonomical layout of the group is based on studies from the mid-19th century when less than half the present species were known to science, comparison of the myoglobin intron 2, GAPDH intron 11 and the mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences (Irestedt et al., 2004) has largely verified it. Two major clades - most antshrikes and other larger, strong-billed species and Herpsilochmus, and the classical antwrens the more slender, longer-billed species and other antwrens - and the monophyly of most genera was confirmed.

The Thamnophilidae contain several large or very large genera, and a considerable number of small or monotypic ones. Several of these, which have always been difficult to assign, seem to form a third, hitherto unrecognized clade independently derived from ancestral antbirds. The results also confirmed suspicions of previous researchers that some species, most notably in Myrmotherula and Myrmeciza, need to be assigned to different genera. Still, due to the difficulties of sampling from such a large number of often poorly known species, the assignment of some genera is still awaiting confirmation.

Subfamily N.N.: Basal antbirds

Genus Terenura
- Streak-capped Antwren, Terenura maculata
  Orange-bellied Antwren, Terenura sicki
  Rufous-rumped Antwren, Terenura callinota
  Chestnut-shouldered Antwren, Terenura humeralis
  Yellow-rumped Antwren, Terenura sharpei
  Ash-winged Antwren, Terenura spodioptila

Genus Myrmornis
- Wing-banded Antbird, Myrmornis torquata

Genus Pygiptila
- Spot-winged Antshrike, Pygiptila stellaris

Genus Thamnistes
- Russet Antshrike, Thamnistes anabatinus

Subfamily Thamnophilinae: antshrikes and relatives

Genus Megastictus
- Pearly Antshrike, Megastictus margaritatus

Genus Thamnomanes
- Saturnine Antshrike, Thamnomanes saturninus
  Dusky-throated Antshrike, Thamnomanes ardesiacus
  Cinereous Antshrike, Thamnomanes caesius
  Bluish-slate Antshrike, Thamnomanes schistogynus

Genus Xenornis (pending confirmation of placement)
- Speckled Antshrike, Xenornis setifrons

Genus Dichrozona
- Banded Antwren, Dichrozona cincta

Genus Taraba
- Great Antshrike, Taraba major

Genus Hypoedaleus
- Spot-backed Antshrike, Hypoedaleus guttatus

Genus Batara
- Giant Antshrike, Batara cinerea

Genus Mackenziaena
- Tufted Antshrike, Mackenziaena severa
  Large-tailed Antshrike, Mackenziaena leachii

Genus Cymbilaimus (pending confirmation of placement)
- Fasciated Antshrike, Cymbilaimus lineatus
  Bamboo Antshrike, Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae

Genus Frederickena
- Black-throated Antshrike, Frederickena viridis
  Undulated Antshrike, Frederickena unduligera

Genus Dysithamnus
- Spot-breasted Antvireo, Dysithamnus stictothorax
  Plain Antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis
  Streak-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus striaticeps
  Spot-crowned Antvireo, Dysithamnus puncticeps
  Rufous-backed Antvireo, Dysithamnus xanthopterus
  White-streaked Antvireo, Dysithamnus leucostictus
  Plumbeous Antvireo, Dysithamnus plumbeus
  Bicolored Antvireo, Dysithamnus occidentalis

Genus Herpsilochmus
- Ash-throated Antwren, Herpsilochmus parkeri
  Creamy-bellied Antwren, Herpsilochmus motacilloides
  Black-capped Antwren, Herpsilochmus atricapillus
  Caatinga Antwren, Herpsilochmus sellowi
  Pileated Antwren, Herpsilochmus pileatus
  Spot-tailed Antwren, Herpsilochmus sticturus
  Dugand's Antwren, Herpsilochmus dugandi
  Todd's Antwren, Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
  Ancient Antwren, Herpsilochmus gentryi
  Spot-backed Antwren, Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus
  Roraiman Antwren, Herpsilochmus roraimae
  Pectoral Antwren, Herpsilochmus pectoralis
  Large-billed Antwren, Herpsilochmus longirostris
  Yellow-breasted Antwren, Herpsilochmus axillaris
  Rufous-winged Antwren, Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus

Genus Sakesphorus
- Collared Antshrike, Sakesphorus bernardi
  Black-crested Antshrike, Sakesphorus canadensis
  Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, Sakesphorus cristatus
  Black-backed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanonotus
  Band-tailed Antshrike, Sakesphorus melanothorax
  Glossy Antshrike, Sakesphorus luctuosus

Genus Thamnophilus (possibly polyphyletic)
- Acre Antshrike, Thamnophilus divisorus
  Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus
  Chapman's Antshrike, Thamnophilus zarumae
  Bar-crested Antshrike, Thamnophilus multistriatus
  Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus palliatus
  Lined Antshrike, Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus
  Black-hooded Antshrike, Thamnophilus bridgesi
  Black Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigriceps
  Cocha Antshrike, Thamnophilus praecox
  Blackish-gray Antshrike, Thamnophilus nigrocinereus
  Castelnau's Antshrike, Thamnophilus cryptoleucus
  White-shouldered Antshrike, Thamnophilus aethiops
  Uniform Antshrike, Thamnophilus unicolor
  Upland Antshrike, Thamnophilus aroyae
  Plain-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus schistaceus
  Mouse-colored Antshrike, Thamnophilus murinus
  Western Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha
  Guianan Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus punctatus
  Peruvian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus leucogaster
  Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus stictocephalus
  Bolivian Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus sticturus
  Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus pelzelni
  Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Thamnophilus ambiguus
  Streak-backed Antshrike, Thamnophilus insignis
  Amazonian Antshrike, Thamnophilus amazonicus
  Variable Antshrike, Thamnophilus caerulescens
  Rufous-winged Antshrike, Thamnophilus torquatus
  Rufous-capped Antshrike, Thamnophilus ruficapillus

Subfamily N.N.: Typical antwrens and relatives

Tribe "Microrhopini"

Genus Neoctantes
- Black Bushbird, Neoctantes niger

Genus Clytoctantes (pending confirmation of placement)
- Recurve-billed Bushbird, Clytoctantes alixii
  Rondonia Bushbird, Clytoctantes atrogularis

Genus Myrmorchilus
- Stripe-backed Antbird, Myrmorchilus strigilatus

Genus Microrhopias
- Dot-winged Antwren, Microrhopias quixensis

Tribe Formicivorini

Genus Myrmochanes
- Black-and-white Antbird, Myrmochanes hemileucus

Genus Myrmotherula (paraphyletic)
- Stipple-throated group ("Microrhopini"):
  Brown-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula gutturalis
  Checker-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula fulviventris
  White-eyed Antwren, Myrmotherula leucophthalma
  Foothill Antwren, Myrmotherula spodionota
  Stipple-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula haematonota
  Brown-backed Antwren, Myrmotherula fjeldsaai
  Ornate Antwren, Myrmotherula ornata
  Rufous-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula erythrura
  Streaked group (closer to Myrmochanes):
  Pygmy Antwren, Myrmotherula brachyura
  Short-billed Antwren, Myrmotherula ignota (sometimes M. obscura)
  Guianan Antwren, Myrmotherula surinamensis
  Amazonian Antwren, Myrmotherula multostriata
  Pacific Antwren, Myrmotherula pacifica
  Cherrie's Antwren, Myrmotherula cherriei
  Klages' Antwren, Myrmotherula klagesi
  Stripe-chested Antwren, Myrmotherula longicauda
  Sclater's Antwren, Myrmotherula sclateri
  Yellow-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula ambigua
  Grey group (may include Formicivora):
  White-flanked Antwren, Myrmotherula axillaris
  Slaty Antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor
  Rio Suno Antwren, Myrmotherula sunensis
  Salvadori's Antwren, Myrmotherula minor
  Ihering's Antwren, Myrmotherula iheringi
  Rio de Janeiro Antwren, Myrmotherula fluminensis
  Plain-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula behni
  Ashy Antwren, Myrmotherula grisea
  Unicolored Antwren, Myrmotherula unicolor
  Alagoas Antwren, Myrmotherula snowi
  Long-winged Antwren, Myrmotherula longipennis
  Band-tailed Antwren, Myrmotherula urosticta
  Gray Antwren, Myrmotherula menetriesii
  unassigned (probably stipple-throated group):
  Rufous-bellied Antwren, Myrmotherula guttata
  Plain-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula hauxwelli
  Star-throated Antwren, Myrmotherula gularis
  unassigned (Relationships unknown):
  Leaden Antwren, Myrmotherula assimilis

Genus Formicivora
- Narrow-billed Antwren, Formicivora iheringi
  White-fringed Antwren, Formicivora grisea
  Black-bellied Antwren, Formicivora melanogaster
  Serra Antwren, Formicivora serrana
  Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis
  Black-hooded Antwren, Formicivora erythronotos
  Rusty-backed Antwren, Formicivora rufa

Genus Stymphalornis (pending confirmation of placement)
- Parana Antwren, Stymphalornis acutirostris

Tribe Pithyini

Genus Pithys
- White-plumed Antbird, Pithys albifrons
  White-masked Antbird, Pithys castanea

Genus Skutchia (pending confirmation of placement)
- Pale-faced Antbird, Skutchia borbae

Genus Phlegopsis
- Black-spotted Bare-eye, Phlegopsis nigromaculata
  Reddish-winged Bare-eye, Phlegopsis erythroptera

Genus Phaenostictus
- Ocellated Antbird, Phaenostictus mcleannani

Genus Gymnopithys
- Rufous-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys rufigula
  Bicolored Antbird, Gymnopithys leucaspis
  Lunulated Antbird, Gymnopithys lunulata
  White-throated Antbird, Gymnopithys salvini

Genus Rhegmatorhina
- Hairy-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina melanosticta
  Chestnut-crested Antbird, Rhegmatorhina cristata
  White-breasted Antbird, Rhegmatorhina hoffmannsi
  Harlequin Antbird, Rhegmatorhina berlepschi
  Bare-eyed Antbird, Rhegmatorhina gymnops

Genus Cercomacra
- Gray Antbird, Cercomacra cinerascens
  Rio de Janeiro Antbird, Cercomacra brasiliana
  Dusky Antbird, Cercomacra tyrannina
  Willis' Antbird, Cercomacra laeta
  Parker's Antbird, Cercomacra parkeri
  Blackish Antbird, Cercomacra nigrescens
  Bananal Antbird, Cercomacra ferdinandi
  Black Antbird, Cercomacra serva
  Jet Antbird, Cercomacra nigricans
  Rio Branco Antbird, Cercomacra carbonaria
  Mato Grosso Antbird, Cercomacra melanaria
  Manu Antbird, Cercomacra manu

Genus Hypocnemis
- Warbling Antbird, Hypocnemis cantator
  Yellow-browed Antbird, Hypocnemis hypoxantha

Genus Drymophila
- Ferruginous Antbird, Drymophila ferruginea
  Bertoni's Antbird, Drymophila rubricollis
  Rufous-tailed Antbird, Drymophila genei
  Ochre-rumped Antbird, Drymophila ochropyga
  Striated Antbird, Drymophila devillei
  Dusky-tailed Antbird, Drymophila malura
  Long-tailed Antbird, Drymophila caudata
  Scaled Antbird, Drymophila squamata

Tribe Myrmecizini

Genus Sclateria
- Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia

Genus Percnostola (pending confirmation of placement)
- Black-headed Antbird, Percnostola rufifrons
  White-lined Antbird, Percnostola lophotes

Genus Schistocichla (sometimes placed in Percnostola)
- Slate-colored Antbird, Schistocichla schistacea
  Spot-winged Antbird, Schistocichla leucostigma
  Caura Antbird, Schistocichla caurensis

Genus Myrmoborus
- White-browed Antbird, Myrmoborus leucophrys
  Ash-breasted Antbird, Myrmoborus lugubris
  Black-faced Antbird, Myrmoborus myotherinus
  Black-tailed Antbird, Myrmoborus melanurus

Genus Gymnocichla
- Bare-crowned Antbird, Gymnocichla nudiceps

Genus Rhopornis (pending confirmation of placement)
- Slender Antbird, Rhopornis ardesiaca

Genus Pyriglena
- White-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena leuconota
  White-shouldered Fire-eye, Pyriglena leucoptera
  Fringe-backed Fire-eye, Pyriglena atra

Genus Hypocnemoides
- Black-chinned Antbird, Hypocnemoides melanopogon
  Band-tailed Antbird, Hypocnemoides maculicauda

Genus Hylophylax
- Spotted Antbird, Hylophylax naevioides
  Spot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax naevia
  Dot-backed Antbird, Hylophylax punctulata
  Scale-backed Antbird, Hylophylax poecilinota

Genus Myrmeciza (paraphyletic)
- Chestnut-tailed group (Pithyini)
  Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza hemimelaena
  Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza castanea
  Large dark group (close to Pyriglena)
  Plumbeous Antbird, Myrmeciza hyperythra
  Goeldi's Antbird, Myrmeciza goeldii
  White-shouldered Antbird, Myrmeciza melanoceps
  Sooty Antbird, Myrmeciza fortis
  Immaculate Antbird, Myrmeciza immaculata
  Patterned breast group (close to Hypocnemoides and Hylophylax)
  Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza ferruginea
  Scalloped Antbird, Myrmeciza ruficauda
  White-bibbed Antbird, Myrmeciza loricata
  Squamate Antbird, Myrmeciza squamosa
  Main group
  Gray-headed Antbird, Myrmeciza griseiceps
  Dull-mantled Antbird, Myrmeciza laemosticta
  Esmeraldas Antbird, Myrmeciza nigricauda
  Stub-tailed Antbird, Myrmeciza berlepschi
  unassigned
  Yapacana Antbird, Myrmeciza disjuncta
  White-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza longipes
  Chestnut-backed Antbird, Myrmeciza exsul
  Gray-bellied Antbird, Myrmeciza pelzelni
  Black-throated Antbird, Myrmeciza atrothorax

Unassigned

Genus Biatas
- White-bearded Antshrike, Biatas nigropectus

References

Irestedt, Martin ; Fjeldså, Jon; Nylander, Johan A. A. & Ericson, Per G. P. (2004): Phylogenetic relationships of typical antbirds (Thamnophilidae) and test of incongruence based on Bayes factors. BMC Evol. Biol. 4: 23. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-4-23 Supplementary information

External links

Antbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection
Antbird sounds in the xeno-canto collection.

Birds Guide

Thamnophilidae

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