Bar-crested Antshrike Voice (1 Viewer)

In Steve Hilty's new revision to Birds of Venezuela, the voice of the Bar-crested Antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus) is described as follows:
"Much like Barred Antshrike but lazier and with marked acceleration at end".

I think it is a typographic error, because in his Birds of Colombia he describes it this way:
"Much like Barred Antshrike but lazier and without marked acceleration at end".

In fact, I was able to record the voice of Bar-crested Antshrikes when I was in Colombia last year, and it did lack acceleration. Since the voice is a point of separation from the similar-looking Lined Antshrike (Thamnophilis palliatus), it is an important detail. I could send along a .wav file if someone wants to hear it.

I really don't mean to criticise such a fine book. I can't conceive the amount of work required to get a book like that out - so much detail, and so easy to get some small bit wrong like that. And then some pencil-neck like me, whose first trip to South America was last year, has to come along and find minute little problems. I love the book! I bought it when I had the barest notion of going to Venezuela last year. That did not pan out, now I have the book, and need to find my way to Venezuela to use it.

Good birding!

Jeff,
An error in a work of this size is not uncommon and I imagine the author woulnd't mind hearing about it to correct in the next edition. I have his Vz book and really like it.

I have a CD of Venezuelan birdsong by Boesman and he addresses the possibilty of errors in his recordings with a "certainty" percentage. Then his website has an update called "errata" where he publishes updates/ corrections to his CD. Maybe field guides could do something similar.

Clearly a typo (yes, even great books have typos!). I've listned through all the loudsong recordings I have of the Bar-crested (7 different birds, 4 different locations), and all lack the acceleration in the end...

The school where I work outside of Cali, Colombia has 1 or 2 pairs of Bar-crested Antshrikes living there. They happen to be my favorite bird on the grounds. I hear them everyday and no they do not have the acceleration at the end.

Matthew Gable

Hello Matthew

Hello Matthew,
I just recently joined BirdForum. I wrote to you at another thread and have not gotten an answer (It was a very old thread.) I hate to be a pest but I am interested in finding other birdwatchers here in Cali. I am a novice but have watched birds in many interesting places. If you don't mind my asking, what school do you work at outside of Cali? We are building a house up in Dapa and I would love to be able to identify birds up there. i have Hilty's book but there is nothing like being able to talk to and learn from other birdwatchers/ Any suggestions?
Best regards,
Azucenadelvalle

olivewarbler said:

The school where I work outside of Cali, Colombia has 1 or 2 pairs of Bar-crested Antshrikes living there. They happen to be my favorite bird on the grounds. I hear them everyday and no they do not have the acceleration at the end.

Matthew Gable

Click to expand...

hello azucenadelvalle

i answered on another post as well. contact me at [email protected] so we can talk. i rarely have time to look at this forum.

matthew