Bare-crowned antbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bare-crowned antbird |
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Gymnocichla
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| Species: |
nudiceps
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The bare-crowned antbird (Gymnocichla nudiceps) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Thamnophilidae family, which is a group of birds often called antbirds. This bird is the only species in its genus called Gymnocichla.
This antbird is not very common. It lives in the lower parts of evergreen forests. You can find it in countries like Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Its favorite home is in wet, lowland forests, especially in swampy areas.
Bare-crowned antbirds are known to be quite shy. So, spotting one can be tricky! The best way to find them is to listen for their unique songs. These songs are usually chirping whistles that sound like they are going down in pitch.
Adult male bare-crowned antbirds are mostly black. They have a bright, featherless blue patch of skin around their head and eyes. Their wings have small white spots. Female antbirds look different; they are reddish-brown all over. They also have a small, bright blue patch of skin around their eyes, just like the males.
The group of birds called Gymnocichla was first named by an English zoologist, Philip Sclater, in 1858.
Contents
What Do Bare-Crowned Antbirds Eat?
Bare-crowned antbirds usually travel in pairs. They don't often hang out with other bird species. However, they do follow army-ant swarms. These ants stir up insects and other small creatures on the forest floor. The antbirds then catch these animals as they try to escape.
These birds usually stay close to the ground. They hop around looking for food. They also search for prey on low vines or tree trunks. Their diet includes many different insects, spiders, and small reptiles. Some of their favorite foods are grasshoppers, ants, and even tiny lizards.
How Do Bare-Crowned Antbirds Nest?
Bare-crowned antbirds build dome-shaped nests. They use thin plant fibers, stems, and vines to construct them. These nests are usually placed low to the ground. They are often supported by wide plant stems.
The nests are very well hidden. They are tucked away among thick plants and leaves. Both male and female antbirds help bring food to their young. This food includes small spiders and insect larvae (baby insects). Both parents also take turns sitting on the nest to keep the eggs or chicks warm.
When the male and female return to the nest, they often make special calls. They also pump their tails up and down. Both parents share the jobs of incubating the eggs, brooding the young, and feeding the chicks.
Do Bare-Crowned Antbirds Migrate?
Bare-crowned antbirds live in various parts of Central and South America. Their homes include countries like Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. They prefer subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
These birds do not travel far outside these regions. This is because their main food source, like ants, is found on the jungle floor in these specific habitats. They stay where their food is plentiful.
How Do Bare-Crowned Antbirds Communicate?
Bare-crowned antbirds have a special way of singing. Their songs usually have eleven notes and last about three to five seconds. The notes typically stay at the same pitch.
The song starts with two quick notes. Then, nine more notes follow, which are more spaced out at first. As the song continues, these notes get faster towards the end. When they sing, their tails often vibrate along with the sound.
