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Thamnophilidae
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Rhegmatorhina
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Harlequin Antbird Rhegmatorhina berlepschi 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

Like other species of Rhegmatorhina, the Harlequin Antbird is generally uncommon and is further remarkable for having the smallest range of any member of the genus. It is endemic to southern Amazonian Brazil, where this species is restricted to a small area west of the Rio Tapajós, and its range overlaps with that of the Pale-faced Antbird (Phlegopsis borbae). The Harlequin Antbird is restricted to lowland evergreen forest on terra firme. It is an attractive bird, with a black face and throat, a rufous throat and pale grayish-green orbital skin, whilst females generally share the same features, but also have the posterior underparts and back heavily marked with black. Considered to be a ‘professional’ antbird, in that it routinely follows army ant swarms, feeding on insects and arthropods displaced by their passage, the Harlequin Antbird is dominant over most other Thamnophilidae attending these swarms, but is displaced by Black-spotted Bare-eyes (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) and probably by Pale-faced Antbirds.

Field Identification

14–15 cm. Large periorbital patch pale greyish-green; small crest. Male has crown dark brownish, crest and nape rufous-chestnut, upperparts, wings and tail olive-brown, wings edged rufous; side of head and throat black, centre of breast rufous-chestnut; neck side and remaining underparts grey, tinged olive-brown on flanks. Female is similar to male, except upperpart and wing-covert feathers with buff-edged black tips, sides and posterior underparts irregularly banded black and pale buff.

Systematics History

Hybridizes extensively with R. hoffmannsi in upper R Madeira–R Tapajós interfluvium; study of genetic introgression being undertaken (1). Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Hybridization

Hybrid Records and Media Contributed to eBird

  • Harlequin x White-breasted Antbird (hybrid) Rhegmatorhina berlepschi x hoffmannsi

Distribution

S of R Amazon in Madeira–Tapajós interfluvium, Brazil.

Habitat

Understorey of humid lowland evergreen forest (terra firme), to 100 m.

Movement

Resident.

Diet and Foraging

Feeds on insects (particularly orthopterans), spiders and other arthropods, virtually all of which obtained by following army-ant swarms and seizing prey flushed by them. Forages mostly below 1 m; multiple pairs or family groups may concentrate at some swarms; does not associate with mixed-species flocks, but often forages in presence of other species at ant swarms. Considered a “professional” army-ant follower, faithfully following swarms primarily of Eciton burchelli. Early in morning, cruising individuals, pairs or family groups work through the forest 1–2 m above ground in search of ants; frequently first checks raiding paths and bivouac sites from previous day and, if not successful, wanders more widely, investigating vocalizations of conspecifics as well as those of other obligate followers; once located, swarms are generally followed for most of day. Progresses mostly by short, fluttery flights; tail regularly lowered to as much as 80 degrees below body level, then rapidly flicked upwards to as much as 30 degrees above body; crest frequently raised and lowered. Perches mostly 0·1–0·5 m up, often clinging laterally (upper leg flexed, lower leg extended) to slender vertical stems, pitching, yawing and pivoting with great agility; also uses horizontal perches on fallen branches, root buttresses, and stilts of stilt-rooted trees. Makes rapid, darting sallies and pounces to the ground to seize arthropods fleeing the ants, before quickly hopping or flying to another perch before ants can counter-attack; less frequently, short aerial sallies or sallies to foliage, vines, branches, and trunks; occasionally tosses dead leaves from leaf litter with flicking motions of the bill to uncover prey taking refuge from ants. Most prey taken are between one-third and 1·5 times the length of the bird’s bill; larger items often taken to a perch away from swarm centre and dissected or dismembered, usually by using the bill to hold a leg of a prey and then shaking it until the leg comes off; does not using the feet to hold prey, nor bash them against substrate. Often wipes the bill vigorously against branches after handling large prey. Often noisy and combative at swarms, as conspecifics supplant both one another and other species from perches above the most productive parts of the swarm. Dominant over smaller antbirds such as Hylophylax naevius, but subordinate to larger Phlegopsis nigromaculata and, probably, also to P. borbae.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Loudsong (e.g. 7 notes, 3·5 seconds) begins with long flat whistle followed by more abrupt downslurred note, subsequent notes become flatter and longer, final notes burry. Calls include harsh, vibrant “chirr”, diminishing slightly in pitch and intensity, and abrupt “chip”.

Breeding

Little known. Thought to breed late in rainy season (slightly later than R. gymnops occurring E of R Tapajós), with adults delaying moult until Jun–Oct dry (non-breeding) season; examination of specimens reveals presumed adults in moult in Jul–Jan, and others with slight to moderate plumage wear in Dec–Jun. Prenuptial behaviour includes courtship-feeding of female by male. Juveniles accompany parents at ant swarms for unknown period of time following fledging.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Uncommon. Has relatively tiny range, and considered to be of high sensitivity to human disturbance. Main stronghold lies in the Tapajós National Park, which encompasses 994,000 ha. This important park is highly threatened by gold-miners, by squatters and, probably most seriously, by hydro-electric development of Tapajós Basin. Proper protection of the park and its resources will ultimately be vital to the continued survival of this species.
Distribution of the Harlequin Antbird - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Harlequin Antbird

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Harlequin Antbird (Rhegmatorhina berlepschi), 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.harant1.01
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