Zeledon's Antbird

Overview

Zeledon's antbird (Hafferia zeledoni) is a species of bird in the subfamily Thamnophilinae. It comprises two subspecies and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Measures 17 to 20 cm in length with a weight of 40 to 56 g.
• Features a wide pale blue eye-ring and a deep red iris.
• Adult males are mostly black with variable white on the wings, while females are dark brown with black lores and face.
• Males sing a loud, ringing series of descending whistled notes described as 'peer-peer-peer-peer-peer-peer-peer-peer'.

Habitat

Found in the understorey and edges of humid evergreen and mature secondary forests in the foothills, particularly in regenerating landslides and tree-falls on steep hillsides. Its range extends from Nicaragua through Costa Rica and Panama, and separately from Panama through Colombia to Ecuador.

Diet

Feeds primarily on arthropods and small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. Forages singly, in pairs, or in family groups on the ground or within one metre of it, capturing prey by gleaning, pouncing, and rummaging in leaf litter, and regularly follows army ant swarms.

Did you know?

The bird is named after Costa Rican ornithologist José Cástulo Zeledón, and its current classification resulted from a 2013 molecular study that revealed its previous genus, Myrmeciza, was polyphyletic.