Such's Antthrush

About the Such's Antthrush

The cryptic antthrush (Chamaeza meruloides), also known as Such's antthrush, is a species of bird in the family Formicariidae. It is endemic to the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Although the cryptic antthrush was first described almost 200 years ago, it was long overlooked (hence, cryptic) due to confusion with the rufous-tailed antthrush (C. ruficauda) and short-tailed antthrush (C. campanisona), which are found in the same region. Its identity as a separate species was recognized in 1992.

When Nicholas Aylward Vigors described this species in 1825, he based it on two specimens collected by George Such, and this is the reason for the species' other common name, Such's antthrush. The cryptic antthrush is monotypic.

The cryptic antthrush is 19 to 19.5 cm (7.5 to 7.7 in) long and weighs about 66 to 77 g (2.3 to 2.7 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults have a red-brown forecrown and brown crown. They have white or buff lores and a white streak behind their eye. Their upperparts are mostly olive brown with a reddish rump. Their tail is brown with a black band near the end and thin buffy tips on the feathers. Their throat is white... Wikipedia →