Rufescent Antshrike
Thamnistes rufescens
The Rufescent Antshrike (Thamnistes rufescens) is a legendary antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, and antvireo found only in Peru. The rufescent antshrike is a passerine bird in subfamily Myrmornithinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".
About the Rufescent Antshrike
The rufescent antshrike is a passerine bird in subfamily Myrmornithinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufescent antshrike is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. The species has a rather stocky body and a heavy bill with a hooked tip. The sexes have almost identical plumage. Adults have a bright ochraceous face with a fainter supercilium. Their forehead, crown, and upperparts are olive-brown. Their tail is rufous and their wings cinnamon-rufous. Their throat is dull olive-yellow and their breast and belly are ochraceous with an olive tinge. Males have a patch of bright orange-rufous between their shoulders; females lack it. Voice: The rufescent antshrike's "slow song" is "a high, slightly accelerating, rising series of thin downslurred whistles: tseeeu-tsew-tsew-tsew-tsew". It also has a "rapid song" that differs from that of the russet antshrike (which see here) "in pace, highest note peak, and rise in frequency".
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in July. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufescent Antshrike?
- The rufescent antshrike is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Rufescent Antshrike?
- The Rufescent Antshrike is endemic to Peru, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Rufescent Antshrike?
- The Rufescent Antshrike is most easily confused with the Russet Antshrike.
Learn the Rufescent Antshrike for real
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