Grey-headed Antbird

Overview

The grey-headed antbird (Ampelornis griseiceps) is a near-threatened species of bird in the family Thamnophilidae, commonly known as the typical antbirds. It is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with a population that is believed to be decreasing due to significant habitat loss.

Identification

• Length of 12.5 to 13.5 cm and weight of approximately 15 g.
• Adult males possess a gray head, neck, and mantle, with olive-brown upperparts and a distinct white patch between the scapulars.
• Males have a black center on the lower throat and breast, while the rest of the breast and belly are gray; females have a paler gray head and streaked underparts.
• Song consists of a short, rapid, descending series of churred notes described as 'CHEER'R'r'r'r'r'ew', and calls are a harsh, whining 'rheer-rhurr'.

Habitat

Found in far southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, this species inhabits the understorey of montane evergreen forest and the ecotone between it and deciduous forest. It is often associated with bamboo but is not confined to it, occurring at elevations between 600 and 2,500 m in Ecuador and 700 and 2,900 m in Peru.

Diet

The grey-headed antbird feeds primarily on insects and probably other arthropods. It forages in dense vegetation, typically between 2 and 7 m above the ground, by hopping, making short flutter-flights, and gleaning prey from leaves, stems, and vines. It occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

The genus name Ampelornis combines the Ancient Greek words for 'vine' and 'bird', and the genus is monotypic, meaning it contains only this single species.