Scaled Antbird

About the Scaled Antbird

The scaled antbird (Drymophila squamata) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil. The scaled antbird has two subspecies, the nominate D. s. squamata (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823) and D. s. stictocorypha (Boucard & Berlepsch, 1892). Results of genetic testing hint that D. s. stictocorypha may be a separate species but data about possible differences in the vocalizations and ecology of the two taxa are scarce.

The scaled antbird is 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in) long and weighs 10.5 to 11 g (0.37 to 0.39 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a black crown with white spots along its side, a wide white supercilium, and a black stripe through the eye on an otherwise black-spotted white face. Their upperparts are black with white spots. Their wings are black and their wing coverts black with wide white tips. Their tail is barred with black and white. Their throat and underparts are white with black spots. Females have the same pattern but different colors than males. Their crown and eye stripe are dark brown. Their upperparts are dark brown with buff spots... Wikipedia →