Band-tailed antshrike

Not to be confused with band-tailed antbird and band-tailed antwren.

Band-tailed antshrike
Male
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Thamnophilidae
Genus:	Thamnophilus
Species:	T. melanothorax
Binomial name
Thamnophilus melanothorax Sclater, PL, 1857
Synonyms
Sakesphorus melanothorax

The band-tailed antshrike (Thamnophilus melanothorax) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". ^[2] It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. ^[3]

Taxonomy and systematics

The band-tailed antshrike was described by the English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1857 and given the binomial name Thamnophilus melanothorax. ^[4] It was subsequently placed in the genus Sakesphorus . A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2007 found that Sakesphorus was polyphyletic and that three species including the band-tailed antshrike were embedded within a clade containing members of Thamnophilus . The band-tailed antshrike was therefore moved back to its original genus. ^{[5] [6]}

The band-tailed antshrike is monotypic. ^[2]

Description

The band-tailed antshrike is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long; one individual weighed 31 g (1.1 oz). Members of genus Thamnophilus are largish members of the antbird family; all have stout bills with a hook like those of true shrikes. Adult males are almost entirely black except for a hidden white patch between the scapulars, small white spots on the wing coverts, and the eponymous wide white band at the end of the tail. Adult females have a bright deep rufous crown, upperparts, wings, and tail. Their face, throat, and breast are black. The rest of their underparts are gray with a reddish brown cast on the flanks and crissum. ^{[7] [8]}

Distribution and habitat

The band-tailed antshrike is found from southern Guyana across Suriname and French Guiana and into northeastern Brazil's Amapá state; there is also one good sight record near Manaus in Brazil's Amazonas state. It primarily inhabits the understorey of evergreen forest though it also occurs higher into the mid-storey. It favors dense vines and other vegetation growing in gaps made by fallen trees and abandoned human-made openings. It also occurs in swampy depressions and in dense riverside thickets. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 550 m (1,800 ft). ^{[7] [8]}

Behavior

Movement

The band-tailed antshrike is thought to be a year-round resident throughout its range. ^[7]

Feeding

The band-tailed antshrike's diet is not well known but is assumed to be insects and other small arthropods. It forages singly or in pairs and seldom as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It forages mostly in dense cover on and near the ground up to about 10 m (35 ft) high. It feeds by gleaning from vegetation, vines, branches, and the ground. ^{[7] [8]}

Breeding

Nothing is known about the band-tailed antshrike's breeding biology. ^[7]

Songs and calls Listen to band-tailed antshrike on xeno-canto

Vocalization

The band-tailed antshrike's song is a "slow, slightly accelerating series of 7-9 low, hollow 'ah' notes". ^[8] Its call is "a muffled, nasal growl, sometimes doubled". ^[7]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the band-tailed antshrike as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified. ^[1] It "[a]ppears to be a rare, low-density species throughout its range" but "there would appear to be large intact areas of potentially suitable habitat remaining in Surinam [sic], French Guiana and Brazil (Amapá)". ^[7]

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Band-tailed Antshrike Thamnophilus melanothorax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22701266A93820750. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22701266A93820750.en . Retrieved 15 March 2024.
2. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Antbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
3. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 4 March 2024. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved March 5, 2024
4. Sclater, Philip L. (1857). "Descriptions of twelve new or little known species of the South American family Formicariidae". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 25: 129–133 [133]. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1857.tb01217.x.
5. Brumfield, R.T. (May 2007). "Proposal (278): Transfer some Sakesphorus species into Thamnophilus (Thamnophilidae)". South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
6. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2018). "Antbirds". World Bird List Version 8.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
7. Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Band-tailed Antshrike (Thamnophilus melanothorax), 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.batant2.01 retrieved March 15, 2024
8. van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 234–235. ISBN   978-0-19-530155-7.

External links

• Photo-Low Res; Article birdtours.co.uk