Black Bushbird

Neoctantes niger

Antbirds, Antshrikes, Antwrens, and Antvireos · Passeriformes · Rare

The Black Bushbird (Neoctantes niger) is a rare antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, and antvireo found in 4 countries, weighing about 32 g. The black bushbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforestcup nest32 g

About the Black Bushbird

The black bushbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The black bushbird is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 29 to 32 g (1.0 to 1.1 oz). It is rather stocky with a short tail and an unusual upturned bill. The sexes have different plumage. Adult males are entirely black except for a small, mostly hidden, patch of white between the shoulders. Adult females are mostly sooty black with a rufous breast and upper belly. Voice: The black bushbird is not highly vocal. Its song is an "often slightly rising series of semimusical 'werk' notes" given for a minute or more at about one note per second. Its call is "distinctive, squealing, two-parted but continuous, with second part lower-pitched", a "nasal 'kyoo' ".

What the Black Bushbird sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

The Black Bushbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Black Bushbird?
The black bushbird is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 29 to 32 g (1.0 to 1.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Black Bushbird?
The Black Bushbird is a small sized bird weighing about 32 g.
Where can you see a Black Bushbird?
The Black Bushbird occurs in 4 countries, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.
What does a Black Bushbird sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Black Bushbird on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Black Bushbird?
The Black Bushbird is most easily confused with the Ihering's Antwren, the Wing-banded Antbird and the Rondonia Warbling Antbird.
Is the Black Bushbird endangered?
The Black Bushbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Black Bushbird for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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