Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius Scientific name definitions

The steady murmur of quiet vocalizations from members of an understory mixed species flock in Amazonia often is punctuated by the sharp, fast rattle call of the Cinereous Antshrike. This species occurs across most of Amazonia - except for southwestern Amazonia, where it is replaced by the closely related Bluish-slate Antshrike (Thamnomanes schistogynus) - and also in the Atlantic forests of Brazil. The Cinereous Antshrike is a regular member of understory flocks, which also often include a second species of Thamnomanes (either the Dusky-throated Antshrike T. ardesiacus or the Saturnine Antshrike T. saturninus); typically the Cinereous Antshrike forages higher in the forest, into the midstory, especially when a second species of Thamnomanes is present. The Cinereous Antshrike perches with a vertical, upright posture, and sallies abruptly to air or to foliage to capture insects; it often pursues insects that were flushed by other members of the flock.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Loudsong a moderately long (e.g. 5 seconds) series in which long clear upslurred notes shorten and diminish in pitch, gradually becoming a rattle, initial note shorter, flatter and lower-pitched than second note. Calls include short rattle, typically introduced by distinct clearer note; 2 upslurred notes given in quick succession; and shorter upslurred note, sometimes repeated regularly (e.g. every 0·5 seconds).