Goeldi's Antbird

Overview

Goeldi's antbird (Akletos goeldii) is a species of bird in the subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, commonly known as the typical antbirds. It is a year-round resident of the western Amazon Basin and is currently assessed as being of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length of 17 to 18 cm with a weight of approximately 42 g.
• Adult males are predominantly black with a usually concealed white patch between the scapulars, while females feature a rufous-brown crown, upperparts, and wings.
• Both sexes possess a ring of bare bluish gray skin around the eye and a red iris.
• Song consists of a series of downslurred whistles, transcribed as "her-her hEEr hEEr hEEr hEEr".

Habitat

Found in southeastern Peru, northwestern Bolivia, and the western Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas, this species primarily inhabits the floor and understorey of várzea evergreen forest. It favours shrubby, vine-tangled areas adjoining rivers and stands of Guadua bamboo on the floodplain, usually at elevations below 500 m but reaching up to 800 m locally.

Diet

This bird feeds on insects and probably other arthropods, typically foraging singly, in pairs, or in family groups within dense vegetation close to the ground. It captures prey by gleaning, reaching, or pouncing from perches, and occasionally follows army ant swarms to catch fleeing insects.

Did you know?

The species has a complex taxonomic history, having been moved through several genera including Myrmelastes, Percnostola, Myrmeciza, and Inundicola before being returned to the genus Akletos based on the principle of priority.