Dysithamnus puncticeps
The Spot-crowned Antvireo (Dysithamnus puncticeps) is a small, rather inconspicuous member of the antbird family (Thamnophilidae), typically measuring about 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 in) in length and weighing 10-14 grams. Males sport a distinctive pale, often buffy or whitish, spot on their otherwise gray crown, contrasting with a dark gray head, olive-green back, white throat, and a grayish breast grading into rufous or buffy flanks. Females are generally duller, with a browner crown spot, duller o...
Found primarily in the understory and mid-story of humid evergreen forests, particularly in foothills and lower montane regions. It often prefers dense tangles, vine-laden areas, and forest edge habitats, typically at elevations from 200 to 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of arthropods such as insects and spiders. It obtains prey by gleaning from foliage and small branches.
The Spot-crowned Antvireo is typically observed singly or in pairs, often as a nuclear species within mixed-species foraging flocks, which it frequently joins to glean arthropods from foliage. It forages by making short hops and short flights, carefully inspecting leaves, twigs, and small branche...
The Spot-crowned Antvireo has a disjunct distribution across southern Central America and northwestern South America. Its northern range begins in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica, extending south through both slopes of Panama. In South America, it is found in the humid Chocó region ...
Least Concern
- The Spot-crowned Antvireo is a key component of mixed-species foraging flocks in Neotropical forests, often acting as a 'nuclear' species that other birds follow. - Despite its common name, the 'spot' on its crown can be quite subtle and easily overlooked, especially in females and duller males...