Myrmoborus melanurus
The Black-tailed Antbird (Myrmoborus melanurus) is a strikingly dimorphic and secretive passerine belonging to the antbird family Thamnophilidae. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm in length, the male is characterized by dull black upperparts, a black face, throat, and chest that contrast sharply with a clean white belly, and, most distinctly, an entirely black tail. The female presents a more subdued appearance with olive-brown upperparts, a rufous crown, blackish ear-coverts, a white throat, ...
Found exclusively in the understory of humid *terra firme* forests, typically at low elevations, generally below 500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of insects and other small arthropods gleaned from forest understory vegetation.
The Black-tailed Antbird is a diurnal and rather secretive species, usually observed alone or in pairs. It forages primarily in the dense undergrowth, gleaning insects and other small arthropods from foliage, twigs, and bark, often in low, tangled vegetation. Unlike many other antbirds, it is not...
The Black-tailed Antbird is endemic to a restricted portion of western Amazonia, primarily inhabiting east-central Peru in the departments of Loreto and Ucayali, extending into adjacent western Brazil, specifically in the state of Amazonas. There are also a few documented records from extreme eas...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'melanurus' is derived from Greek, literally meaning 'black-tailed,' a direct reference to the male's most distinctive feature. - Unlike many of its antbird relatives, the Black-tailed Antbird is not a dedicated army ant follower, making its foraging strategy distinct. - Its...