Glossy Antshrike

About the Glossy Antshrike

The glossy antshrike (Sakesphorus luctuosus) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil. The glossy antshrike's taxonomy is unsettled. The Clements taxonomy assigns it two subspecies, the nominate S. l. luctuosus (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823) and S. l. araguayae (Hellmayr, 1908). However, a study published in 2012 cast doubt on the separation, noting that the differences between the two appeared to be clinal. The International Ornithological Committee and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World follow that assertion and treat the glossy antshrike as monotypic. The 2012 study did identify a population within the species that might warrant treatment as a separate species S. hagmanni.

This article follows the monotypic model. The glossy antshrike is about 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighs 27 to 33 g (0.95 to 1.2 oz). This species exhibits minor sexual dimorphism, and both sexes have a shaggy crest. Adult males are almost entirely black. Their lower back, rump, lower belly, and crissum are dark gray. Some white is mostly concealed under their scapulars... Wikipedia →