Black-backed Antshrike

About the Black-backed Antshrike

The black-backed antshrike (Thamnophilus melanonotus) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Venezuela. The black-backed antshrike was described by the English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1855 and given the binomial name Thamnophilus melanonotus. It was subsequently placed in the genus Sakesphorus. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2007 found that Sakesphorus was polyphyletic and that three species including the black-backed antshrike were embedded within a clade containing members of Thamnophilus. The black-backed antshrike was therefore moved back to its original genus.

The black-backed antshrike is monotypic. The black-backed antshrike is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. Members of genus Thamnophilus are largish members of the antbird family; all have stout bills with a hook like those of true shrikes. Adult males have a black to blackish brown head and back with white edges on the scapulars and a hidden white patch between them. Their lower back and rump are light gray. Their wings are black with wide white tips on the coverts and white... Wikipedia →