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| − | + | [[Image:Caura_Antbird2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Female <br />Photo by {{user|Aracari|Aracari}} <br />Serra do Aracá, Amazonas, [[Brazil]], February, 2007]] | |
| − | [[Image: | + | ;[[:Category:Myrmelastes|Myrmelastes]] caurensis |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | This species is similar to the [[Spot-winged Antbird]] and the [[Roraiman Antbird]] (the latter is a recent split from the Spot-winged Antbird). At ca. 15 cm both are smaller than the Caura Antbird, which has a total length of ca. 19 cm. The male Caura Antbird is best separated from both species by its red eyes and all-dark bill (no pale lower mandible). It is also more uniform than the clearly two-toned male Spot-winged. | |
| − | The | + | |
| + | The '''female''' Caura is potentially more confusing, but is generally darker below than female Spot-winged, has grey legs unlike female Spot-winged of the nominate subspecies (which has pinkish legs), and grey face-sides unlike female subspecies ''infuscata'' of the Spot-winged (which has brownish-olive face-sides). Females of the Roraiman Antbird share the darker underparts, grey legs and face-sides, and are consequently best separated by their smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, and proportionally longer legs. The overlap in the range of these two species is marginal. | ||
| − | + | All are easily separated by voice. | |
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | The range of the Caura Antbird extends through the Guianan Plateau in the Bolívar and Amazonas states in southern [[Venezuela]] to extreme northern Amazonas state in [[Brazil]]. It may also occur in extreme north-western Roraima in Brazil, although there are no confirmed reports for that area. The bird is endemic to the western and central Tepui region (see "habitat"), but it does not occur on the easternmost Tepui region. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | Formerly placed in the genus ''[[:Category:Schistocichla|Schistocichla]]'' or in ''[[:Category:Percnostola|Percnostola]]''. | ||
| + | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| + | There are two poorly differentiated subspecies of the Caura Antbird<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
| + | *''M. c. caurensis'': | ||
| + | :*Southern [[Venezuela]] (western Bolívar and northern Amazonas) | ||
| + | *''M. c. australis'': | ||
| + | :*Southern Venezuela (southern Amazonas) and immediately adjacent northern [[Brazil]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | The Caura Antbird typical habitat | + | The Caura Antbird's typical habitat is humid to semi-deciduous forest with a fairly open understorey and large boulders, often in steep terrain, at altitudes between 250 and 700 m (extremes 100-1500 m). |
| + | |||
| + | They may also be seen at the borders of the forest, especially along mountain streams. Large boulders seem to be a critical component of the habitat of this specialized bird. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
| + | They are highly associated with large boulders, often foraging on these boulders or on the ground nearby, exploring its crevices filled with leaf litter and other organic debris for various arthropods. They will also probe in the moss and ferns that may cover these rocks. They also glean their prey with very quick motions from vines and roots over the rocks. | ||
| − | + | The Caura Antbird may also squeeze themselves into small spaces between the rock and overlying dense tangle of roots, remaining under the protection of these "roofs" for up to a minute. They also vigorously toss dead leaves in the manner of a leaftosser (''Sclerurus'' sp.). (Zimmer, 1999). Apparently it does not attend mixed species flocks of ant swarms. Often forages in pairs. | |
| − | == | + | ====Vocalisation==== |
| − | + | The song is loud and fast, e.g. 11 notes in 4 seconds. | |
| + | *Male: a series of short buzzy notes, which drop in pitch as the interval between the notes shortens. | ||
| + | *Female: similar to the male, but the notes are fewer. Often begin as the male finishes. | ||
| − | + | ====Breeding==== | |
| + | Almost nothing is known about the breeding of this antbird. In Serrania de la Cerbatana (Bolívar), they are on territory and paired by mid-February, but it is thought that there are only low levels of breeding activity through the dry season, due to very little vocalisation at this time. However, after heavy rain there was an increase in spontaneous vocalization. Territories are about 150–200 m in diameter, and an ongoing territorial conflict between neighbouring pairs has been recorded. | ||
| − | == | + | ==References== |
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}} | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch| | + | {{GSearch|Myrmelastes+caurensis}} |
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Myrmelastes]] |
Latest revision as of 07:57, 15 August 2016
- Myrmelastes caurensis
Identification
This species is similar to the Spot-winged Antbird and the Roraiman Antbird (the latter is a recent split from the Spot-winged Antbird). At ca. 15 cm both are smaller than the Caura Antbird, which has a total length of ca. 19 cm. The male Caura Antbird is best separated from both species by its red eyes and all-dark bill (no pale lower mandible). It is also more uniform than the clearly two-toned male Spot-winged.
The female Caura is potentially more confusing, but is generally darker below than female Spot-winged, has grey legs unlike female Spot-winged of the nominate subspecies (which has pinkish legs), and grey face-sides unlike female subspecies infuscata of the Spot-winged (which has brownish-olive face-sides). Females of the Roraiman Antbird share the darker underparts, grey legs and face-sides, and are consequently best separated by their smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, and proportionally longer legs. The overlap in the range of these two species is marginal.
All are easily separated by voice.
Distribution
The range of the Caura Antbird extends through the Guianan Plateau in the Bolívar and Amazonas states in southern Venezuela to extreme northern Amazonas state in Brazil. It may also occur in extreme north-western Roraima in Brazil, although there are no confirmed reports for that area. The bird is endemic to the western and central Tepui region (see "habitat"), but it does not occur on the easternmost Tepui region.
Taxonomy
Formerly placed in the genus Schistocichla or in Percnostola.
Subspecies
There are two poorly differentiated subspecies of the Caura Antbird[1]:
- M. c. caurensis:
- Southern Venezuela (western Bolívar and northern Amazonas)
- M. c. australis:
- Southern Venezuela (southern Amazonas) and immediately adjacent northern Brazil
Habitat
The Caura Antbird's typical habitat is humid to semi-deciduous forest with a fairly open understorey and large boulders, often in steep terrain, at altitudes between 250 and 700 m (extremes 100-1500 m).
They may also be seen at the borders of the forest, especially along mountain streams. Large boulders seem to be a critical component of the habitat of this specialized bird.
Behaviour
Diet
They are highly associated with large boulders, often foraging on these boulders or on the ground nearby, exploring its crevices filled with leaf litter and other organic debris for various arthropods. They will also probe in the moss and ferns that may cover these rocks. They also glean their prey with very quick motions from vines and roots over the rocks.
The Caura Antbird may also squeeze themselves into small spaces between the rock and overlying dense tangle of roots, remaining under the protection of these "roofs" for up to a minute. They also vigorously toss dead leaves in the manner of a leaftosser (Sclerurus sp.). (Zimmer, 1999). Apparently it does not attend mixed species flocks of ant swarms. Often forages in pairs.
Vocalisation
The song is loud and fast, e.g. 11 notes in 4 seconds.
- Male: a series of short buzzy notes, which drop in pitch as the interval between the notes shortens.
- Female: similar to the male, but the notes are fewer. Often begin as the male finishes.
Breeding
Almost nothing is known about the breeding of this antbird. In Serrania de la Cerbatana (Bolívar), they are on territory and paired by mid-February, but it is thought that there are only low levels of breeding activity through the dry season, due to very little vocalisation at this time. However, after heavy rain there was an increase in spontaneous vocalization. Territories are about 150–200 m in diameter, and an ongoing territorial conflict between neighbouring pairs has been recorded.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Caura Antbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Caura_Antbird
