Bare-crowned Antbird

The Bare-crowned Antbird (Gymnocichla nudiceps), a denizen of the lower Evergreen Forest, presents a striking sexual dimorphism. The male is cloaked in black plumage, save for the electric blue, featherless skin that crowns its head and encircles its eyes. White spots adorn its wings, adding a touch of contrast to its dark attire. The female, on the other hand, is garbed in a warm reddish-brown, with a small yet vibrant blue patch over her eyes, echoing the male's colorful feature.

Identification Tips

To identify this elusive bird, look for the male's distinctive bare blue crown and the white spots on the wings. The female's reddish-brown plumage and blue eye patch are also key characteristics. Both sexes share a sulky demeanor, making visual identification challenging.

Habitat

The Bare-crowned Antbird thrives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, often favoring swampy and poorly drained areas within this ecosystem.

Distribution

This species is found across a range of Central and South American countries, including Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Behaviour

The Bare-crowned Antbird is known to be a scarce and shy creature. It typically travels in pairs and is rarely seen associating with other species, except during the tumultuous feasts at army-ant swarms. It stays near the ground, following the ants to catch prey or hopping about in search of food on low vines and trunks.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocal repertoire consists of down-slurred chirping whistles, often eleven notes in a span of three to five seconds. The call starts with two quick notes followed by nine more that accelerate towards the end, usually accompanied by tail vibrations.

Breeding

Nesting habits include constructing dome-shaped structures from thin plant fibers, stems, and vines, well-concealed within thick vegetation. Both sexes are involved in brooding and feeding the young, with shared responsibilities for incubation and nestling care. Their return to the nest is often marked by a series of vocalizations and tail pumping.

Diet and Feeding

The Bare-crowned Antbird's diet is diverse, including insects, spiders, and small reptiles such as grasshoppers, ants, and even small lizards. It is adept at catching prey flushed out by army ants or foraging on the forest floor.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Bare-crowned Antbird as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.