Band-tailed Antshrike Thamnophilus melanothorax Scientific name definitions

The Band-tailed Antshrike is a poorly known resident of Suriname, French Guiana and northeastern Brazil. The male Band-tailed Antshrike is entirely black except for white scapular patches, white wing-covert spots and, as the name suggests, a large white band on its tail. Females on the other hand are entirely colored a bright deep rufous except for a black patch across its forehead, throat, face and breast. The Band-tailed Antshrike is found singly or in pairs in the understorey and mid-level of evergreen forest. This species is generally found within stands of lianas and other dense growth associated with disturbed areas. These birds forage by taking short hops, pausing occasionally to scan for prey and then gleaning prey directly from branches or leaves.

16–17 cm; 31 g (one individual). Male is entirely black, except for concealed white scapular patches, small white wing-covert spots, and a broad white band across tail tip. Female has crown, upperparts, wings and tail bright deep rufous, lower forehead, face, throat and breast black, posterior underparts becoming grey, suffused with reddish-brown on flanks and crissum.

Not well known. Understorey and, to lesser extent, mid-storey of evergreen forest where dense stands of lianas and other dense growth associated with naturally disturbed areas, such as treefalls; also in areas of human distubance that have grown over with vegetation. Also found in swampy, bushy depressions and in dense thickets at edges of rivers. May have specialized habitat requirements that remain to be documented in detail. From near sea-level to 550 m.

Presumed resident.

Little known. Diet assumed to consist primarily of a variety of insects and other arthropods. Individuals or pairs forage in dense cover, 0–10 m above ground, progressing by short hops separated by pauses of 1–15 seconds to scan for prey. Prey gleaned directly from leaf, vine and branch surfaces, or from ground. Does not regularly associate with mixed-species flocks.

Loudsong a short (e.g. 7 notes, 3 seconds) series of deep, downward-inflected, somewhat muffled notes that speed up and end with two more abrupt notes. Call a muffled, nasal growl, sometimes doubled.

Nothing known.

Not globally threatened. Poorly known, and should perhaps be given conservation status of Data-deficient. Appears to be a rare, low-density species throughout its range. Although its precise habitat requirements are not well understood, on a broad scale, there would appear to be large intact areas of potentially suitable habitat remaining in Surinam, French Guiana and Brazil (Amapá). More research into the habitat requirements and population levels of this species is needed.