Bird Guide

Amazonian Antshrike vs Ocellated Antbird

Amazonian Antshrike (Thamnophilus amazonicus)

Amazonian Antshrike

Thamnophilus amazonicus

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The Amazonian antshrike is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 17 to 21 g (0.60 to 0.74 oz). Members of genus Thamnophilus are largish members of the antbird family; all have stout bills with a hook like those of true shrikes. This species exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. Adult males of the nominate subspecies T. a. amazonicus are black on the center of the forehead and crown; the rest of their head is gray. Their back is mostly black with a gray rump and a hidden white patch between the scapulars. Their wings, scapulars, and wing coverts are black with white spots and edges. Voice: The Amazonian antshrike's song is "a long...uncountable series that typically increases in speed and pitch initially, gradually levels off, then most often descends". The final notes are somewhat variable in quality and volume. One author writes it as "kur kur kur-kur-kur-kur-kur'ke'ke'ke'ke'kahkahkahkah".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Vincent A. Vos · CC BY 4.0
Ocellated Antbird (Phaenostictus mcleannani)

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

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The ocellated antbird is a largish antbird with a long bill and tail. It is 17.5 to 20 cm (6.9 to 7.9 in) long and weighs about 50 g (1.8 oz). Females tend to be slightly smaller than males and weigh slightly less. The species conforms with Bergmann's rule, with birds closer to the Equator having smaller wings and bills than those further away. Except for their slight size differences, the sexes are otherwise the same, and the subspecies have very little variation. Adults have a brown-gray crown, a rufous-brown nape, bright blue bare skin around the eye, and black cheeks and throat. Voice: The ocellated antbird's primary song is a loud "high, thin series of whistles that rises then falls, with latter notes gaining in harsh quality" that has been written as "peee-peee-pee-peepee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-eer-eer". It also has a fainter version of the song with more notes but without the harsh ending and another version with "chirring" notes interspersed.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Ocellated Antbird
Recorded by radrat · Call · Pipeline Road, Colón, Colón Province, Panama · CC0
Photo: Anthony Batista · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Amazonian Antshrike and Ocellated Antbird.