Speckled Antshrike
Xenornis setifrons
The Speckled Antshrike (Xenornis setifrons) is a legendary antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, and antvireo found in 2 countries, weighing about 25 g. The speckled antshrike or spiny-faced antshrike is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".
About the Speckled Antshrike
The speckled antshrike or spiny-faced antshrike is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Panama.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The speckled antshrike is 13 to 16 cm (5.1 to 6.3 in) long; one female weighed 24.6 g (0.87 oz). The species exhibits some sexual dimorphism, though both sexes have a gray and black bill with a hook at the end like true shrikes. They also have short black bristles on their lores, below their eyes, at the base of the bill, and on their chin. Adult males have a dark gray forehead. Their crown, nape, back, and scapulars are olive brown to buffy brown; the scapulars have brown tips. The feathers of their upperparts have black edges and tips that appear as dark lines. Voice: The speckled antshrike's song is "a series of evenly spaced, high pitched notes, the series rising steadily in pitch". When singing voluntarily it typically makes five notes; when challenged by a recording it may sing between three and 12 notes. The species is not highly vocal, but both sexes sing, with the female's song being slower, shorter, and slightly lower pitched than the male's.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Speckled Antshrike?
- The speckled antshrike is 13 to 16 cm (5.1 to 6.3 in) long; one female weighed 24.6 g (0.87 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Speckled Antshrike?
- The Speckled Antshrike is a small sized bird weighing about 25 g.
- Where can you see a Speckled Antshrike?
- The Speckled Antshrike occurs in 2 countries, including Panama.
- What birds look similar to a Speckled Antshrike?
- The Speckled Antshrike is most easily confused with the Harlequin Antbird, the Streak-backed Antshrike and the Rio Suno Antwren.
- Is the Speckled Antshrike endangered?
- The Speckled Antshrike is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Speckled Antshrike 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.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.