Xingu Scale-backed Antbird
Willisornis vidua
The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird (Willisornis vidua) is a rare antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, and antvireo found only in Brazil, weighing about 18 g. The Xingu scale-backed antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".
About the Xingu Scale-backed Antbird
The Xingu scale-backed antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Xingu scale-backed antbird is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 14 to 19.5 g (0.49 to 0.69 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies are mostly gray; their upperparts are darker than their underparts. They have a white patch between the scapulars. Their lower back has white-edged black patches that give it its English name. Their wings and tail are black with white edges and tips on many feathers. Adult females have a warm brown crown and a gray face. Their upperparts are warm brown and their underparts are gray. Their throat is white. Voice: The Xingu scale-backed antbird's song is "a series of long upslurred notes, which are frequency-modulated in an even pattern". Its calls include "a twitter formed by a short...high-pitched series of clear, almost tinkling, musical notes that descends slightly in frequency", "a descending chirr", and a "raspy series of 3–4 cheery, cheery, churry, churry notes".
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in August. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Xingu Scale-backed Antbird?
- The Xingu scale-backed antbird is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 14 to 19.5 g (0.49 to 0.69 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Xingu Scale-backed Antbird?
- The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird is a small sized bird weighing about 18 g.
- Where can you see a Xingu Scale-backed Antbird?
- The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird is endemic to Brazil, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Xingu Scale-backed Antbird?
- The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird is most easily confused with the Common Scale-backed Antbird.
Learn the Xingu Scale-backed Antbird 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.