Spot-winged Antbird (Myrmelastes leucostigma)

Identification & Behavior: ~15 cm (6 in). The male Spot-winged Antbird is gray with wing-coverts tipped with small white tips 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 at interior forest wetlands, along streams, and dump stands of Heliconia sp in Terra Firme forest. It is very similar to the Slate-colored Antbird. Voice is the most reliable way to separate these two species of antbird.

Status: The Spot-winged Antbird is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1600 m along the east slope of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Hormiguero de Ala Moteada.

Sub-species: Spot-winged Antbird (Myrmelastes leucostigma subplumbea), (P. L. Sclater and Salvin), 1880.  extreme W Venezuela (Táchira) and along E base of Andes in Colombia S to NE Peru (S to N Ucayali), also W Brazil (extreme SW Amazonas, extreme W Acre).
(Myrmelastes leucostigma intensa), (J. T. Zimmer), 1927.  C Peru (Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, S Ucayali).

Meaning of Name: Myrmelastes: Gr. murmēx, murmēkos= ant; lastēs= robber. leucostigma: Gr. Leukos= white and stigma, stigmatos= spot.

Formerly known as Schistocichla leucostigma (2018).

See more of the Family Thamnophilidae