Brownish-headed Antbird (Myrmelastes brunneiceps)

Identification & Behavior: ~15 cm (6 in). The male Brownish-headed Antbird is gray. The wing coverts are tipped with white dots that form wing bars.  The tail is blackish without markings. The female has brown upperparts with the wing covers tipped with rufous spots forming wing bars. The head is gray-brown. The underparts are rufous brown.  Both sexes have a dark iris. It forages in interior forest wetlands, along streams, and dump stands of Heliconia sp in Terra Firme forest. It is very similar to the Humaita Antbird and the Spot-winged Antbird. The voice is the most reliable way to tell these species apart. 

Status: The Brownish-head Antbird is uncommon in southeastern Peru. It also occurs in Bo.

Name in Spanish: Hormiguero de Cabeza Pardusca.

Sub-species: Brownish-headed Antbird (Myrmelastes brunneiceps), J. T. Zimmer, 1931.

Meaning of Name: Myrmelastes: Gr. murmēx, murmēkos= ant; lastēs= robber. brunneiceps: L. brunneus= brown and ceps, caput= crowned, capitis= head.

Formerly known as Schistocichla brunneiceps (2018).

See more of the Family Thamnophilidae