Rufous-capped antthrush

Last updated

Rufous-capped antthrush
Formicarius colma -Vale do Ribeira, Registro, Sao Paulo, Brazil-8 (1).jpg
In Vale do Ribeira, Registro, São Paulo, Brazil
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Formicariidae
Genus: Formicarius
Species:
F. colma
Binomial name
Formicarius colma
Boddaert, 1783
Formicarius colma dist.png

The rufous-capped antthrush (Formicarius colma) is a small species of bird in the family Formicariidae located in the order Passeriformes. It is considered to be uncommon but widespread, found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. The rufous-capped antthrush is typically found inhabiting the shady floor of tall, humid forests on solid ground, and is occasionally spotted in transitional forests ( várzea ) and savanna forests (Suriname). [2]

Contents

Taxonomy and Systematics

The rufous-capped antthrush was first described by the French polymath Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in his 1779 journal Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux (Natural History, General and Particular, with a Description of the King's Cabinet) from a specimen collected in Cayenne, French Guiana and was further engraved by François-Nicolas Martinet in the Planches Enluminées D’Histoire Naturelle (Illuminated Planks of Natural History) which was produced under the supervision of Edme-Louis Daubenton to accompany Buffon's text. [3] [4] Neither Buffon's description nor Martinet's drawing included a scientific name, however, Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert coined the binomial name Formicarius colma (Formicarius being Latin for “of the ant”) in his 1783 catalogue the Planches Enluminées , with the specific epithet colma forged by Buffon, most likely being a contraction of “collier” (necklace) and “marque” (mark). [5] [6]

There are four recognized subspecies of Formicarius: [7]

The exact phylogeny of the rufous-capped antthrush is poorly understood, however, an estimated phylogeny was constructed in 1983 by Sibley and Ahlquist by comparing sixteen tracer-species through DNA-DNA hybridization. These results elude that they are Passeriformes coming from the phylum Chordata. [8]

Description

The Formicarius colma is generally a small bird, averaging around 18 cm with males weighing between 38 and 49 grams and females between 41 and 49 grams. Males are marked by a black forehead, rufous-colored (red-brown) crown and nape, with the crown including a variable amount of black feathers. Its back, rump, and wings are olive-brown color with a dusky brown tail and black on the neck, throat, and sides of the head. The upper breast is a dark black that merges into a dark gray on the lower breast while the belly and flanks are a paler gray with (occasionally) a brown wash. Underwing coverts are marked by a mix of black and cinnamon with the inner webs of remiges being dusky with a broad cinnamon bar across the base. Facial features include a brown iris and black bill while the tarsus vary from light gray-brown to a purplish-gray. The female is largely the same as the male, being marked with a white throat rather than the black seen in males. The four subspecies differ slightly from each other; the nigrifrons largely resemble colma but with more black on the head, the amazonicus resemble the nigrifrons but smaller with a deeper rufous head, short tail, and browner upperparts, and the ruficeps having an extensively rufous head. Juvenile rufous-capped antthrushes are marked by a white throat (like the female) and black spotting. The song of the rufous-capped antthrush is generally a 4 to 6 second long, fast, even-paced trill of about 14 notes per second. This song is between 2.2 and 3kHz, with this frequency being speculated as optimal for communication in thick, humid underbrush. The call of the rufous-capped antthrush is described as a single, clear “psee-eh” or “pier,” while the song is described as a  “re-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee”. [9] [10]

Distribution and Habitat

The F. colma is found in east Colombia (south of Vaupés), south and east Venezuela, the Guianas, and in Brazil north of the Amazon while the subspecies F. nigrifrons are found east of Ecuador, east of Peru, north of Bolivia (south to La Paz), and south of the Amazon. F. amazonicus is found in Brazil south of the Amazon, from east Madeira to north Maranhão, and south of Ji-Paranã and Mato Grosso. F. ruficeps is found on the coastal east and southeast of Brazil from Pernambuco to Rio Grande do Sul. The rufous-capped antthrush are widespread, predominately preferring the cooler, shady floor of terra firme forests, although they can occasionally be spotted inhabiting traditional forests and savanna forests. While they generally occupy the lowlands to 500m and locally to 1100m, interspecies aggression between the rufous-capped antthrush and F. analis has been observed to induce altitudinal displacement, with F. colma fleeing to higher and drier ravines and ridges while the F. analis occupy the lower lands. Additionally, in Manu, the black-faced antthrush, being both larger and more population-dense, dominate over the rufous-capped antthrush. While the two species frequently overlap due to F. colma's large distribution, the song of the F. colma has been reported to induce an aggressive response from the black-faced antthrush while the song of the black-faced antthrush causes recession of the rufous-capped antthrush, indicating further interspecies aggression. Other than interspecies aggression, the driving factor controlling the rufous-capped antthrush’s distribution is poorly understood, as they are believed to be a sedentary species. [11] [2]

Behavior and Ecology

Breeding

Very few rufous-capped antthrush nests have been found. Those found are composed of a crude arrangement of roots and leaves placed into a cavity. The clutch size of Formicarius typically consists two white, ovoid eggs that become stained and blotched soon after laying. Two eggs from one clutch were measured to be 28.6-32.3 x 21.8-24 mm. Rufous-capped antthrush hatchlings emerge altricial with long, spreading gray down. Juveniles are typically hatched around October (Brazil), however, in Colombia they emerge in May. In Brazil, males with enlarged testes are also seen in October while they are observed in April near Venezuela. Juveniles in Peru were flushed out of the nest in November. [2] [9]

Food and Feeding

The diet of a rufous-capped antthrush consists of ants (Attinae) and grasshoppers (Locustidae and Tettigoniidae). They hunt by walking slowly and tactfully on the forest floor, picking prey off of leaf litter before flicking it away with their beaks. They usually hunt alone but have been observed hunting near each other in small groups. They are frequently seen alone or in small groups on the periphery of ant swarms. Additionally, Formicarius have also been known to occasionally eat snakes. [2]

Threats and Survival

Currently, the largest threat to the rufous-capped antthrush is loss of habitat through mining and deforestation. While F. colma is currently not globally threatened, these activities have been shown to drive F. colma and other Formicariidae from their habitats. Because F. colma are sedentary, this makes it difficult for them to escape. [2]

Relationship to Humans

Rufous-capped antthrushes are rarely seen, but rather heard through their loud songs and calls. The meat of Formicariidae is reportedly flavorous, however, their low population densities, secretive nature, and small size make them an unlikely candidate for hunting by native tribes, who prefer the black-capped antthrush more commonly seen around human settlements. [2]

Status

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, rufous-capped antthrushes are considered of least concern and are not globally threatened. They are generally rated as uncommon to fairly common based on location and inhabit many protected zones. F. colma are fairly common in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and in the Guianas and rare in the Rio Grande do Sul. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-capped kingfisher</span> Species of bird

The black-capped kingfisher is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical Asia from India east to China, Korea and Southeast Asia. This most northerly of the tree kingfishers is resident over much of its range, but northern populations are migratory, wintering south of their range in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Borneo and Java. It is distinctive in having a black cap that contrasts with the whitish throat, purple-blue wings and the coral red bill. The species is mainly found in coastal and mangrove habitats but can sometimes be found far inland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-faced antthrush</span> Species of bird found in Central America and northern South America

The black-faced antthrush, is a species of passerine bird in the family Formicariidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tufted coquette</span> Species of bird

The tufted coquette is a tiny hummingbird that breeds in eastern Venezuela, Trinidad, Guiana, and northern Brazil. It is an uncommon but widespread species, and appears to be a local or seasonal migrant, although its movements are not well understood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufescent tiger heron</span> Species of bird

The rufescent tiger heron is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae. It is found in wetlands from Central America through much of South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black nunbird</span> Species of bird

The black nunbird is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazonian barred woodcreeper</span> Species of bird

The Amazonian barred woodcreeper is a sub-oscine passerine bird in subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variegated antpitta</span> Species of bird

The variegated antpitta is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, the Guianas and the northern Amazon Basin. Its range extends to Venezuela in the northwest; in the Amazon Basin, it is found in the downstream half of the basin, as well as in the Atlantic outlet region of the neighboring Tocantins-Araguaia River drainage to the southeast. A minor disjunct population is in Peru, and an Argentinian population is found in the tongue of land between Paraguay and southern Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-throated antbird</span> Species of bird

The rufous-throated antbird is a species of bird in the family Thamnophilidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fulvous shrike-tanager</span> Species of bird

The fulvous shrike-tanager is a South American bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmeted pygmy tyrant</span> Species of bird

The helmeted pygmy tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wing-banded wren</span> Species of bird

The wing-banded wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-throated antbird</span> Species of bird

The black-throated antbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Thamnophilidae. It is the only species in the genus Myrmophylax. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wing-banded antbird</span> Species of bird

The wing-banded antbird is a species of passerine bird in the antbird family, Thamnophilidae. It is placed in the monotypic genus Myrmornis. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooded tanager</span> Species of bird

The hooded tanager is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-necked woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The red-necked woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringed woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The ringed woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-tufted woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The yellow-tufted woodpecker is a species of woodpecker. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The yellow-throated woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

<i>Formicarius</i> (bird) Genus of birds

Formicarius is a genus of passerine birds in the family Formicariidae. These birds are all found in the tropical New World, from southern Mexico south to Central America and northern South America. All are named as antthrushes, and are insectivorous forest birds. They are largely terrestrial, feeding mainly on the ground on ants and other insects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guianan warbling antbird</span> Species of bird

The Guianan warbling antbird is an insectivorous bird in the antbird family, Thamnophilidae. It is found at lower levels in humid forest in the Guianas, far eastern Venezuela, and north-eastern Brazil.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Formicarius colma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22703197A93908770. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22703197A93908770.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Krabbe, Niels; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (2020). "Rufous-capped Antthrush (Formicarius colma)". In Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.rucant2.01.
  3. ↑ Martinet, François Nicolas; Daubenton, Edme-Louis; Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc. "Plate 703". Planches enluminées d'histoire naturelle. OCLC   1125664057.
  4. ↑ Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc de (1779). “Le colma”. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux (in French). Volume 8. Paris: De L'Imprimerie Royale. p. 241.
  5. ↑ Boddaert, Pieter (1783). Table des planches enluminéez d'histoire naturelle de M. D'Aubenton. Avec les denominations de M.M. de Buffon, Brisson, Edwards, Linnæus et Latham. Précédé d'une notice des principaux ouvrages zoologiques enluminés (in French). p. 44.
  6. ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 114, 162. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4.
  7. ↑ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2019). "Antthrushes, antpittas, gnateaters, tapaculos & crescentchests". World Bird List Version 9.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  8. ↑ Dress, Andreas; Haeseler, Arndt van (2013). Trees and Hierarchical Structures: Proceedings of a Conference held at Bielefeld, FRG, Oct. 5–9th, 1987. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN   978-3-662-10619-8.[ page needed ]
  9. 1 2 Belton, William (1985). "Birds of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Part 2, Formicariidae through Corvidae". Bulletin of the AMNH. 180. hdl:2246/577.
  10. ↑ Willis, Edwin O. (1984). "Myrmeciza and related antbirds (Aves, Formicariidae) as army ant followers". Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 2 (7): 433–442. doi: 10.1590/S0101-81751984000300005 .
  11. ↑ Stouffer, Philip C. (1997). "Interspecific Aggression in Formicarius Antthrushes? The View from Central Amazonian Brazil". The Auk. 114 (4): 780–785. doi: 10.2307/4089302 . JSTOR   4089302.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.