Peruvian Warbling-Antbird (Hypocnemis peruviana)

Identification & Behavior: ~12 cm (4.7 in). The Peruvian Warbling-Antbird has a black crown bordered by a white supercilium. The throat, breast, and belly are white and streaked/scaled with black. The wing coverts are black with two white wing bars. The sides of the belly and flanks are rufous.  The female is a dull version of the male. Both sexes have a relatively short tail. It forages in thick foliage at treefalls, forest edges, and stands of Guadua bamboo.  It is similar to the Yellow-breasted Warbling-Antbird but is distinguished by having a white throat and breast (yellow in the latter). Also, see Striated Antbird.

Status: The Peruvian Warbling Antbird is fairly common and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1100 m along the foothill of the Andes. It comes in contact with the Yellow-breasted Warbling Antbird along the foothills of Huanuco, Pasco, Junin, and Cusco. The Peruvian Warbling-Antbird also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Hormiguero Peruano.

Sub-species: Peruvian Warbling-Antbird (Hypocnemis peruviana saturata), Carriker, 1930. S Colombia (base of Andes in from Meta S to Putumayo, and S Amazonas) S to NE Peru (N of R Amazon and R Marañón) and WC Amazonian Brazil (region immediately N of R Amazon and E to lower R Negro).
(Hypocnemis peruviana peruviana), Taczanowski, 1884.  EC Peru (S of R Amazon and R Marañón to E Cuzco and N Madre de Dios, except Andean foothills), SW Amazonian Brazil (E to R Madeira, S to Acre) and NW Bolivia (Pando, N La Paz, N Beni).

Meaning of Name: Hypocnemis: Gr. Hupo= somewhat and knemis,knemidos= leggings, greaves. peruviana: In reference to the country of Peru.

See more of the Family Thamnophilidae