Neocossyphus rufus
The Red-tailed Ant Thrush (Neocossyphus rufus) is an enigmatic and captivating resident of the African lowland rainforests, celebrated for its elusive nature and hauntingly beautiful vocalizations. This medium-sized thrush measures approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and typically weighs between 32-46 grams. Its distinguishing features include dark olive-brown upperparts that starkly contrast with a vibrant rufous lower back, rump, and tail, which gives the species its common name. ...
Primarily inhabiting dense, humid lowland evergreen rainforests, the Red-tailed Ant Thrush favors areas with rich undergrowth, often near streams or wet gulleys. It typically occurs from sea level up to elevations of around 1,400 meters.
Its diet consists primarily of ground-dwelling invertebrates, including insects such as ants, termites, beetles, and crickets, as well as spiders, millipedes, and earthworms. It forages by gleaning and probing in leaf litter on the forest floor.
This shy and largely solitary bird is predominantly terrestrial, spending most of its time foraging in the deep shade of the forest floor. It is active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk, and roosts concealed within dense vegetation. Its foraging strategy involves deliberate hops and s...
The Red-tailed Ant Thrush is widely distributed across the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, though its presence is often localized and fragmented. Its breeding range extends from West Africa, encompassing countries like Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria, eastward through Cameroon, Equatorial G...
Least Concern
- The Red-tailed Ant Thrush is often heard but rarely seen, its beautiful, eerie calls echoing through the dense African rainforest. - Despite its name, its relationship to true antbirds (family Thamnophilidae) is distant; it's a thrush that happens to eat ants. - Its vibrant rufous tail and rump...