Antthrushes | Formicariidae

Mierlijsters | Antthrushes | Gallitos hormigueros

The guide covers ten species in two genera, Formicarius and Chamaeza, spread from humid lowland forest of the Amazonian foothills and the Chocó to high in the Andean cloud forest. They are ground birds that look little like thrushes, despite the name: the body is round, the legs are fairly long and strong, and the short tail is held cocked while the bird walks with measured steps across the forest floor, which gives it something of a small rail. In Formicarius the plumage is dark brown and rufous, often with a black face or head and a pale ring around the eye; the Chamaeza species are browner, with scaled or streaked underparts. They search for insects, spiders and other invertebrates in the leaf litter by flicking leaves aside, and sometimes join swarms of army ants. They are shy and far more often heard than seen: the song is a clear, whistled series of notes, fast and falling in some species and drawn out or swelling in others, and they respond well to an imitated whistle. The nest is placed in a hollow in a stump or tree, often close to the ground, and usually holds two white eggs.