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Spot-backed Antshrike Hypoedaleus guttatus Scientific name definitions

Kevin Zimmer and Morton L. Isler
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2003

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Originally Appeared in

HBW Alive

Introduction

The Spot-backed Antshrike is a distinctive, strongly patterned antshrike of forest in southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and extreme northeastern Argentina (Missiones). It is black above with heavy white barring and spotting, and white below with a variable amount of buffy-orange on the flanks and undertail coverts. Like many species in its family, it is best detected by call, in this case a long, whistled trill. Spot-backed Antshrikes forage on arthropods in dense vegetation and vines in the canopy, often in pairs.

Field Identification

20–21 cm. Heavy bill. Male has black upperparts spotted and barred white, brownish-black tail barred white; white below, sides pale grey, lower underparts brownish-yellow, but in N (“leucogaster”) underparts almost completely lack brownish-yellow. Female resembles male, but upperpart spots pale buff, brownish-yellow below more extensive (but in N restricted to posterior portions of underparts).

Systematics History

Paler N birds (Alagoas S to Espírito Santo) described as race leucogaster, but apparently broad zone of intergradation with S populations exists, with both extremes as well as intermediates occurring in São Paulo; racial division appears unwarranted. Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

E & SE Brazil (E Alagoas and E Bahia S to extreme E Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina and N Rio Grande do Sul), E Paraguay (E of R Paraguay; one record on W bank, in SE Alto Paraguay) and extreme NE Argentina (Misiones).

Habitat

Vine tangles in canopy and subcanopy of lowland evergreen forest, to 900 m. Confined to wetter sections of forest with dense vegetation.

Movement

Presumed resident throughout its range.

Diet and Foraging

Variety of insects, including orthopterans, hemipteran bugs, beetles (Coleoptera) and, particularly, larger larvae of Lepidoptera; also other arthropods such as spiders; also snails; possibly some small vertebrates such as tree-frogs and lizards. Usually in pairs, sometimes loosely associated with mixed-species flocks, but typically alone. Forages mostly 8–15 m above ground, through dense tangles of vines and epiphytes, progressing sluggishly by heavy hops, pausing sometimes for long periods, scanning nearby leaves and branches, particularly leaves of bromeliads and epiphytic ferns. Prey often gleaned by quick, snatching motions; larger items beaten repeatedly against branches before being consumed. One published record of an individual in Brazil (Boracéia, in São Paulo) following army ants (Labidus praedator) for 55 minutes as these moved through a dense treefall zone; it hopped on low logs and in shrubs, peering about; ignored ground prey, but captured eight small prey by gleaning from limbs (four times), and logs (twice), or by short sallies to a trunk 1·3 m up and to a leaf 1 m up.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Loudsong a long (e.g. 4 seconds) vibrant trill, building in intensity and frequency before dropping off at end. Calls include long, downward-inflected whistle, shorter, slightly descending churr, and abrupt “chip”.

Breeding

Nest undescribed. Eggs white, with irregular liliaceous dots and fine lines, larger blackish spots.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Its range includes several reserves, e.g. Iguazú National Park, in Argentina, Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, Boracéia Forest Reserve and Serra da Bocaína National Park, in Brazil, and Cerro Corá National Park and Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve, in Paraguay. Generally rare, however, outside reserves and appears to be sensitive to disturbance. The Serra do Mar may be a Brazilian stronghold. Smaller, isolated populations in the Serra da Ouricana are at risk owing to ongoing deforestation. Although not currently considered threatened, its relatively small range and the highly fragmented nature of remaining Atlantic Forest are causes for concern for this species, which seems to require large territories.
Distribution of the Spot-backed Antshrike - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Spot-backed Antshrike

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Spot-backed Antshrike (Hypoedaleus guttatus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.spbant3.01
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