Lunulated antbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lunulated antbird |
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| Illustration of a female | |
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| Genus: |
Oneillornis
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| Species: |
lunulatus
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Gymnopithys lunulatus |
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The lunulated antbird (Oneillornis lunulatus) is a small bird that eats insects. It belongs to a group of birds called "typical antbirds." You can find this bird in the forests of Ecuador and Peru.
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About the Lunulated Antbird's Name
The lunulated antbird was first described in 1873. Two English bird experts, Philip Sclater and Osbert Salvin, named and drew it. They gave it the scientific name Pithys lunulatus. Later, scientists moved it to a different group, or genus, called Gymnopithys.
In 2014, new studies on bird DNA changed things again. Scientists created a new genus called Oneillornis. The lunulated antbird now belongs to this new group. It shares this genus with the white-throated antbird. The lunulated antbird is a unique species and does not have different subspecies.
What Does the Lunulated Antbird Look Like?
The lunulated antbird is about 13 to 14.5 centimeters (5 to 5.7 inches) long. It weighs between 22 and 26 grams (0.78 to 0.92 ounces).
Adult males are mostly gray. They have a white stripe above their eye. Their cheeks, chin, and throat are also white. Their tail is a dark gray-black color.
Adult females look a bit different. They have a white stripe above their eye. The area around their eyes is dark olive-brown. Their chin and throat are white. The top of their head and neck are yellowish olive-brown. Their back and rump are also yellowish olive-brown. These feathers have dark edges and light tips. Their tail is dark grayish-brown with some white stripes. Their belly is olive-brown, but it's lighter and yellower in the middle of their chest.
Young males look like adult females. However, they do not have the white stripe above their eye. They only have patches of white on their throat.
Where Does the Lunulated Antbird Live?
The lunulated antbird lives in eastern Ecuador. You can find it from Sucumbíos Province down to Morona-Santiago Province. It also lives in northern and central Peru. This area is west of the Rio Napo and Rio Ucayali rivers.
This bird mostly lives in wet, evergreen forests. These are called várzea forests. It also lives in the areas where these forests meet terra firme forests. The bird almost always stays in the lower parts of the forest. In Ecuador, it lives below 300 meters (980 feet) in elevation. In Peru, it can be found as high as 950 meters (3,120 feet) in some places.
Lunulated Antbird Behavior
How the Lunulated Antbird Moves
The lunulated antbird does not travel far. It is not known to migrate, meaning it stays in the same area all year.
What the Lunulated Antbird Eats
The lunulated antbird is a special kind of bird. It is an "ant follower." This means it follows swarms of army ants, like Eciton burchelli and Labidus ants. As the army ants move, they scare out many small creatures. The antbird then eats these arthropods, such as insects and spiders.
These birds usually hunt alone, in pairs, or in family groups. They perch about 1 meter (3 feet) off the ground. Sometimes they go as high as 3 meters (10 feet). They quickly fly or pounce to the ground to catch their prey. Lunulated antbirds are stronger than smaller antbirds. But bigger birds, like woodcreepers, are stronger than them.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists believe the lunulated antbird's breeding season in Peru is from October to April. Its breeding season in Ecuador is not yet known. It is thought that these birds usually lay two eggs at a time. Not much else is known about how these birds raise their young.
Lunulated Antbird Sounds
The song of the lunulated antbird is quite unique. It starts with a clear note. Then it quickly makes a series of popping sounds. These sounds slow down and change from rising to falling. They become mellow, rising whistles. It sounds like PEW pipi'pi'pwee-pwee-pwee-peeerr.
Its calls include a long sound that is often broken, like a "chirr." It also makes a short, sudden sound, like a "chup."
Conservation Status of the Lunulated Antbird
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the lunulated antbird as "Least Concern." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. However, its total population size is not known. Experts believe the number of these birds is going down.
No immediate big threats have been found for this bird. It is considered "rare and local" in Ecuador. In Peru, it is "rare to uncommon." The bird lives in several private nature areas and some government-protected areas.
Scientists think this bird is very sensitive to human activity. Even though its home is mostly untouched right now, parts of eastern Ecuador are being used for oil exploration. This can lead to new roads and more people moving in. These changes could harm the lunulated antbird's habitat in the future.
