Drymophila squamata
The Scaled Antbird, Drymophila squamata, is a striking member of the Thamnophilidae family, endemic to the humid Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Males exhibit a distinctive blackish crown, a prominent white supercilium, and a scaled appearance on their olive-grey upperparts and white underparts, deriving its common name from this unique pattern. Measuring approximately 13.5-14.5 cm (5.3-5.7 in) in length and weighing 11-13 grams, females are noticeably different, showcasing a rufous c...
Found primarily in the dense understory and mid-story of humid primary and secondary Atlantic Forest, often favoring areas with bamboos, vine tangles, or thick shrubbery, typically from sea level up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which it gleans from foliage and branches.
The Scaled Antbird is a diurnal, active insectivore, spending much of its time foraging in the dense undergrowth and lower to mid-canopy. It employs a gleaning strategy, meticulously searching foliage and branches for insects and spiders, often moving with quick, darting movements. While not an o...
The Scaled Antbird is a resident species, non-migratory and endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. Its core distribution spans coastal and interior regions from Bahia and Minas Gerais south through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Gr...
Least Concern
- The Scaled Antbird's common name comes from the distinct black scaling visible on its underparts and sometimes upperparts, a truly unique pattern among its relatives. - Despite its name, this species is not an obligate ant-follower, meaning it doesn't primarily rely on army ant swarms for food,...