Great Antshrike

The Great Antshrike, Taraba major, is a passerine bird belonging to the antbird family, Thamnophilidae. It stands out as a large and distinctive species, approximately 20.3 cm in length, and weighing around 56 grams. It boasts a crest and a heavy hooked bill, with males displaying black upperparts adorned with two white wingbars and white underparts. A hidden white dorsal patch is revealed during threat displays. The females, on the other hand, are cloaked in rich rufous across their upperparts, contrasting with their white underparts.

Identification Tips

To identify the Great Antshrike, look for the male's striking black and white plumage and the female's warm rufous tones. Both sexes have brilliant red eyes, which are quite captivating. The young males resemble adults but have rufous wing coverts.

Habitat

The Great Antshrike is typically found in thickets, cocoa and citrus plantations, and occasionally in gardens. It favors areas with dense undergrowth.

Distribution

This bird is a resident breeder, with its range extending from southern Mexico through Central America, Trinidad, and South America down to northern Argentina and southeastern Brazil.

Behaviour

The Great Antshrike is known for its skulking behavior, often remaining hidden within dense vegetation. It is usually encountered in territorial pairs. The species is known to lay two to three grey-marked white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 14 days until hatching. The fledglings then take to the wing after a further 12 days.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Great Antshrike includes a series of 30 to 40 musical "pook-pook-pook" notes, as well as a snarled "churrrr." These calls can be instrumental in locating this otherwise elusive bird.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Great Antshrike primarily consists of insects and other arthropods, which it gleans from foliage. It is also known to consume small lizards and mammals.

Conservation status

The Great Antshrike is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.