Antbird

Description – Antbirds

Antbirds get their name from following army ant swarms through the forest. They feed on invertebrates flushed out by the ants, rarely touching the ants themselves. They range in size from the tiny, warbler-like ant wren to large hook-billed antshrikes. The species pictured is characterised by short wings and a blue patch of skin around the eye.

Behaviour and Song – Antbirds

Some antbirds cling to vertical stems scouting for insects then dart down to catch prey, while other prefer to walk or fly as they forage. There are around 236 species of antbird, and up to 50 species can be found together in small areas of the Amazon. They all have simple songs, such as a series of whistles or chattering notes.

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