Great Antshrike
Taraba major
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyThamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
- GenusTaraba
- SpeciesTaraba major (Great Antshrike)
About the Great Antshrike
The great antshrike (Taraba major) is a passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in southern Mexico, in every Central American country except El Salvador, on Trinidad, and in every mainland South American country except Chile, though only as a vagrant in Uruguay.
The great antshrike was described by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1816 and given the binomial name Thamnophilus major. The current genus Taraba was introduced by the French naturalist René Lesson in 1831.
The great antshrike has these ten subspecies: The great antshrike is the only member of genus Taraba. Its closest relatives appear to be the fasciated and bamboo antshrikes of genus Cymbilaimus. The subspecies' vocalizations fall into two groups, T. m. melanocrissus through T. m. granadensis and T. m. semifasciatus through T. m. major. The first, found in Central America and mostly west of the Andes, may represent a separate species from the other, which are found east of the Andes. In addition, differences within the members of each group may not be significant enough in some cases to warrant subspecies status... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Great Antshrike in El Palmar National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at El Palmar National Park
Variable Antshrike
Thamnophilus caerulescens
Rufous-capped Antshrike
Thamnophilus ruficapillus
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Zonotrichia capensis
Creamy-bellied Thrush
Turdus amaurochalinus
Plush-crested Jay
Cyanocorax chrysops
Golden-billed Saltator
Saltator aurantiirostris
Sayaca Tanager
Thraupis sayaca
Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi
Rufous Hornero
Furnarius rufus
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Masked Gnatcatcher
Polioptila dumicola
Brazilian Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Great Antshrike in El Palmar National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Great Antshrike sighting in El Palmar National Park, based on 27 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Great Antshrike in El Palmar National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Great Antshrike in El Palmar National Park in our monthly data.