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 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve
Barred Antshrike
Thamnophilus doliatus
Dusky Antbird
Cercomacra tyrannina
Dot-winged Antwren
Microrhopias quixensis
Plain Antvireo
Dysithamnus mentalis
Russet Antshrike
Thamnistes anabatinus
Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia
Brown Jay
Psilorhinus morio
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Social Flycatcher
Myiozetetes similis
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Melodious Blackbird
Dives dives
Spot-breasted Wren
Pheugopedius maculipectus
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 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Great Antshrike sighting in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, based on 95 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Great Antshrike in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve?
August has the highest sighting rate for Great Antshrike in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in our monthly data.