Myrmelastes schistaceus
The Slate-colored Antbird, *Myrmelastes schistaceus*, is a medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its uniformly dark gray plumage, giving it an appropriately drab yet distinctive appearance. Averaging 17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 in) in length and weighing between 25-33 grams (0.9-1.2 oz), both sexes are largely slate-gray, though females may exhibit a very subtle brownish wash or slightly paler underparts. Its field marks include a dark iris, a relatively stout black bill, and gray legs, lacking ...
This species primarily inhabits the understory of humid lowland evergreen forests, often found in dense thickets and near water sources. It is typically found at elevations up to 500 meters, occasionally reaching 700 meters above sea level.
The Slate-colored Antbird's diet consists almost exclusively of insects and other arthropods, which it primarily obtains by gleaning from leaf litter and low vegetation, and by preying on organisms flushed by army ant swarms.
The Slate-colored Antbird is a diurnal species, spending most of its active hours foraging on or near the forest floor. Its primary foraging strategy involves gleaning insects and other arthropods from leaf litter, low branches, and dense vegetation. A notable behavioral trait is its frequent att...
The Slate-colored Antbird is a resident species found widely across the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in northern South America. Its extensive distribution includes eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, all three Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana), eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, n...
Least Concern
- The Slate-colored Antbird's common name perfectly reflects its uniformly dark gray plumage, making it a well-described species. - It is a renowned 'ant-follower,' often seen diligently tracking army ant swarms to snatch prey disturbed by the ants. - Unlike many colorful tropical birds, its subd...