Poliocrania exsul
The Chestnut-backed Antbird, *Poliocrania exsul*, is a striking, medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the Antbird family Thamnophilidae, renowned for its strong association with army ant swarms. Measuring approximately 14-15 cm (5.5-6 inches) in length and weighing 25-30 grams (0.9-1.1 oz), this species presents a robust build typical of its family. Males are characterized by a rich, dark chestnut plumage across the back, wings, and tail, contrasting sharply with a black face, throat, and...
This species primarily inhabits the dense understory of humid lowland and foothill tropical evergreen forests, favoring areas with thick tangles and regenerating growth. It is typically found from sea level up to elevations of about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet).
The diet consists almost exclusively of insects and other invertebrates, such as spiders, cockroaches, beetles, and crickets. These are primarily captured by gleaning from the understory vegetation and forest floor, often in association with army ant swarms.
The Chestnut-backed Antbird is a diurnal species, active from dawn to dusk, often remaining deep within the forest undergrowth where it roosts securely among dense vegetation at night. Its foraging strategy is highly specialized, primarily involving the assiduous following of army ant swarms (e.g...
The Chestnut-backed Antbird is a resident species, with a broad distribution spanning much of Central America and northwestern South America. Its range extends from extreme eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Southward, it continues into the Chocó biogeographic region of ...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-backed Antbird is one of the most dedicated "professional" army ant followers in its range, relying heavily on ant swarms to flush out prey. - It was recently moved from the large and somewhat polyphyletic genus *Myrmeciza* to its own monotypic genus, *Poliocrania*, based on geneti...