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 Iberá National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Iberá National Park
Variable Antshrike
Thamnophilus caerulescens
Rufous-capped Antshrike
Thamnophilus ruficapillus
Great Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus
Rufous Hornero
Furnarius rufus
Brazilian Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
Great Pampa-Finch
Embernagra platensis
Greater Thornbird
Phacellodomus ruber
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Zonotrichia capensis
Rufous-bellied Thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Sayaca Tanager
Thraupis sayaca
Blue-gray Saltator
Saltator coerulescens
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 Iberá National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Great Antshrike sighting in Iberá National Park, based on 79 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Great Antshrike in Iberá National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Great Antshrike in Iberá National Park in our monthly data.