Oneillornis salvini
The White-throated Antbird (*Oneillornis salvini*) is a striking denizen of humid Andean foothill forests, offering a captivating study for any birder. This medium-sized antbird measures approximately 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches) in length and weighs about 20-25 grams. Males are distinctively slate gray over most of their body, contrasted sharply by a prominent white throat and a dark, almost black, facial mask. Females present a different, yet equally attractive, plumage with olive-brown upperpar...
Inhabiting humid foothill and lower montane evergreen forests, the White-throated Antbird typically occurs at elevations between 500 and 1500 meters, preferring dense understory and bamboo thickets often near ravines.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and other small arthropods, which it obtains by gleaning foliage and occasionally following army ant swarms.
The White-throated Antbird is a diurnal and rather secretive species, spending its time foraging in the dense undergrowth. While not an obligate ant-follower, it frequently associates with army ant swarms, capitalizing on insects flushed by the ants, a behavior shared by many antbirds. It also em...
The White-throated Antbird is a resident species distributed across the eastern slopes of the Andes in southeastern Peru, northwestern Bolivia, and an extreme southwestern corner of Brazil. In Peru, its range extends through the departments of Cusco, Madre de Dios, and Puno. Further south, it is ...
Least Concern
- The White-throated Antbird was only recently (2018) placed into its own genus, *Oneillornis*, highlighting its genetic distinctiveness from other antbirds. - Its bright red eyes are a striking feature, particularly visible in the dim light of its preferred forest understory. - While many antbir...