Antbird Colombia (1 Viewer)

[49bentley]

Going through my pictures I found these pics and realized that they were miss identified(chestnut-backed antbird). Can someone please identify these birds? They were taken in Colombia in 2019 (in the good old days before covid) in July. I don't have an exact location.
Thanks
Chris

 

[njlarsen]

Out of curiosity, why do you think Chestnut-backed is wrong?
Niels

 

[49bentley]

Niels, my book shows Chestnut-backed Antbird as having no spots on the wings. Furthermore I have other pics without spots.

 

[49bentley]

Having done some further research, I have found that the one's with spots are a sub-species of Chestnut-backed Antbird. Thanks Niels for putting doubt into my mind.

 

[njlarsen]

For completeness, the field guide by Quinones do show the form with spotted wings. It has some other drawbacks such virtually no text and I am still considering if I will need a second field guide to that country.
Niels

 

[49bentley]

Thanks Niels.

 

[Butty]

Quinones . . . has some other drawbacks such virtually no text and I am still considering if I will need a second field guide to that country

I'd say you need Birds of Colombia (click the page-thumbnails and weep) - and bin the other one.

 

[njlarsen]

Those are definitely tempting. I would say that the one I have is not as bad as I initially thought.

 

[AveryBartels]

Those are definitely tempting. I would say that the one I have is not as bad as I initially thought.

I can definitely recommend the new Lynx Edition Colombia Guide. Most thorough and best quality illustrations available. Not quite so suitable for taking out in the field though as it is heavier. That is where the Quinones or McMullan guides come in handy

 

[AveryBartels]

Having done some further research, I have found that the one's with spots are a sub-species of Chestnut-backed Antbird. Thanks Niels for putting doubt into my mind.

IOC has the Colombia/Ecuador (with exception of along Panama border) birds split off as "Short-tailed Antbird" - one of many splits that are a bit dubious in my mind, unless there is solid genetic basis for it.

 

[THE_FERN]

IOC has the Colombia/Ecuador (with exception of along Panama border) birds split off as "Short-tailed Antbird" - one of many splits that are a bit dubious in my mind, unless there is solid genetic basis for it.

Interesting. They look fairly different in the photos...

 

[49bentley]

Thanks Avery.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

IOC has the Colombia/Ecuador (with exception of along Panama border) birds split off as "Short-tailed Antbird" - one of many splits that are a bit dubious in my mind, unless there is solid genetic basis for it.

Unless I'm looking in the wrong place IOC haven't split it. It looks like HBW may have done though

 

[AveryBartels]

Unless I'm looking in the wrong place IOC haven't split it. It looks like HBW may have done though

Good catch Larry, my apologies it is indeed HBW that splits it not IOC.

Interesting. They look fairly different in the photos...

Yes, visually they are relatively distinct (for an antbird anyway, and especially the females) but vocally they seem essentially identical and based on my (albeit far from comprehensive) knowledge of Antbird taxonomy vocalizations seem to play a larger role than plumage for splits of cryptic species complexes. At any rate, I'm sure genetic work will confirm one way or the other.

 

[njlarsen]

I can definitely recommend the new Lynx Edition Colombia Guide. Most thorough and best quality illustrations available. Not quite so suitable for taking out in the field though as it is heavier. That is where the Quinones or McMullan guides come in handy

I have used the McMullan guide to Ecuador with good luck. I could not lay my hands on the Colombia version when i looked around.
Niels