Gymnocichla nudiceps
The Bare-crowned Antbird (Gymnocichla nudiceps) is a striking passerine bird of the antbird family Thamnophilidae, characterized by its prominent cobalt-blue to silvery-white bare crown. Males are entirely glossy black, presenting a sleek silhouette against the vibrant blue head patch. Females, in contrast, display a rich reddish-brown plumage with a black tail, often retaining a smaller, duller bare crown patch. Measuring approximately 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length and weighing between 25-30 ...
Found primarily in the understory and sub-canopy of humid lowland evergreen forests, often in areas with dense vegetation or near water sources, typically occurring from sea level up to 1000 meters (3,300 feet) in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of arthropods, including spiders, cockroaches, crickets, and beetles, with a strong reliance on those flushed by army ant swarms. Occasionally takes small lizards or frogs.
Bare-crowned Antbirds are diurnal and typically found singly or in pairs, exhibiting a furtive, skulking behavior within dense forest undergrowth. Their primary foraging strategy involves following army ant swarms (particularly Eciton burchellii), ambushing insects and other arthropods flushed by...
The Bare-crowned Antbird boasts a wide, disjunct distribution across Central and South America. In Central America, it is found from eastern Honduras south through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its South American range extends from northern Colombia, across northern Venezuela, and south thro...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'nudiceps' literally means 'bare head', referring to its distinctive featherless crown. - This species is considered an 'obligate army ant follower,' meaning its foraging strategy is heavily dependent on tracking army ant swarms. - Bare-crowned Antbirds exhibit strong sexual...