Thamnophilus melanonotus
The Black-backed Antshrike (Thamnophilus melanonotus) is a striking passerine bird endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, revered by naturalists for its pronounced sexual dimorphism and cryptic nature. Males boast a glossy black plumage across their entire body, contrasted sharply by distinctive white wing-bars and often a faint white patch on the back, providing excellent camouflage in dappled forest light. Females are dramatically different, showcasing a vibrant rufous-chestnut c...
This antshrike primarily inhabits humid lowland and foothill tropical and subtropical forests, favoring dense undergrowth, forest borders, and mature secondary growth up to elevations of approximately 1,400 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of insects, including beetles, orthopterans, and caterpillars, along with other arthropods like spiders, which they primarily obtain by gleaning.
Black-backed Antshrikes are diurnal and typically forage in the understory to mid-story, often joining mixed-species flocks with other antbirds and woodcreepers. They are adept at gleaning insects and other arthropods from foliage, twigs, and bark, employing a methodical search pattern. Monogamou...
The Black-backed Antshrike is endemic to a relatively restricted portion of the Atlantic Forest biome along the eastern coast of Brazil. Its primary distribution extends from southeastern Bahia south through Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, reaching into northeastern Minas Gerais. While its ran...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'melanonotus' is derived from Greek, meaning 'black-backed', a direct reference to the male's striking plumage. - Despite their common name 'antshrike', they are not closely related to true shrikes (family Laniidae), nor do they obligately follow army ants like some other an...