BIRDGACHA / FIELD NOTES

Antthrushes

Antthrushes are compact forest-floor birds with strong legs, relatively short tails and subdued brown, rufous or dark plumage. Their upright tails and deliberate, rail-like walking differ from the hopping image suggested by the English word thrush, while facial and throat markings help distinguish species. Examples include Rufous-capped Antthrush (Formicarius colma), Short-tailed Antthrush (Chamaeza campanisona), and Black-faced Antthrush (Formicarius analis). They take insects and other small invertebrates from leaf litter, often remaining close to concealed feeding routes on the ground. Wait quietly after hearing a repeated song, since a walking bird may cross a small opening without leaving cover.

How to recognize Antthrushes

Watch deliberate walking with the body upright and tail often raised.
Compare throat colour, facial markings and rufous areas on the crown.
Use repeated song and the exact forest region alongside the brief view.

Where they live

The family occurs in tropical Central and South America. Humid lowland and foothill forests support many species, while others occupy higher forested areas. Shaded leaf litter and a sheltered forest floor provide feeding opportunities, and the local range and elevation narrow the possible species considerably. This catalogue treats antpittas separately, so a small, almost tailless forest bird should not automatically be placed among these walking antthrushes.

Species accounts: Rufous-capped Antthrush · Short-tailed Antthrush · Black-faced Antthrush

Sources — natural history: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Black-faced Antthrush · Cornell Birds of the World: Rufous-capped Antthrush (Formicarius colma), species natural history.

Classification: IOC World Bird List: family names and classification.

Some Cornell Birds of the World account sections require a subscription.

Updated 2026-11-06. Species counts follow this site's catalogue. This is an editorial summary, not an expert peer review.