#antbird

Black-spotted Bare-eye (Phlegopsis nigromaculata), family Thamnophilidae, order Passeriformes, Brazil

Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata

It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The black-spotted bare-eye is an obligate ant follower that feeds on a variety of arthropods that flee foraging army ant swarms. The black-spotted bare-eye's song is "a short series of moderately long, flat, rich whistles, each slightly lower in pitch and becoming harsher in quality"; the number of notes varies. It has been written as "zhweé, zhwu, zhwu" and "HEEEW heer heer".

Black Bushbird Neoctantes niger

It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It favors dense undergrowth along edges, in treefalls, and along swampy streams. The black bushbird is thought to feed on insects and other arthropods.

Least Concern

Photo: Carmelo López Abad

"Stunning antbird, small and boldly patterned. Rotund and short-tailed. Male has white belly with band of black spots across chest, gray head, and rufous back. Female more washed out, but similar pattern. Usually seen singly or in pairs in understory of forest, often following a mixed flock or army ant swarm. Stuttered song is a series of slightly wheezy whistles, descending in pitch."