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 Henri Pittier National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Henri Pittier National Park
Barred Antshrike
Thamnophilus doliatus
Plain Antvireo
Dysithamnus mentalis
Slaty Antwren
Myrmotherula schisticolor
Northern White-fringed Antwren
Formicivora intermedia
White-streaked Antvireo
Dysithamnus leucostictus
Black-crested Antshrike
Sakesphorus canadensis
White-bellied Antbird
Myrmeciza longipes
Rusty-winged Antwren
Herpsilochmus frater
Black-backed Antshrike
Thamnophilus melanonotus
Blue-gray Tanager
Thraupis episcopus
Bay-headed Tanager
Tangara gyrola
Palm Tanager
Thraupis palmarum
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 Henri Pittier National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Great Antshrike sighting in Henri Pittier National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Great Antshrike in Henri Pittier National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Great Antshrike in Henri Pittier National Park in our monthly data.