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Black-tailed antbird facts for kids

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Black-tailed antbird
Myrmoborus melanurus - Black tailed antbird (male); Iquitos, Peru.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Myrmoborus
Species:
melanurus
Myrmoborus melanurus map.svg

The black-tailed antbird (Myrmoborus melanurus) is a small bird that lives in the rainforests of Peru and Brazil. It belongs to a group of birds called antbirds. These birds are known for following swarms of ants to catch insects that the ants stir up.

This special bird is endemic to these two countries. This means it is found naturally nowhere else in the world.

Where the Black-tailed Antbird Lives

The black-tailed antbird makes its home in wet, tropical areas. These places are often swamps or very damp forests. They need these specific types of habitats to find food and build their nests.

Threats to Their Home

Sadly, the places where black-tailed antbirds live are slowly disappearing. This is called habitat loss. People are cutting down forests or changing swamps for other uses. This makes it harder for the antbirds to survive. Because of this, the black-tailed antbird is considered a vulnerable species. This means it could become endangered if its habitat continues to shrink.

Who Discovered This Bird?

The black-tailed antbird was first described by two English scientists. Their names were Philip Sclater and Osbert Salvin. They officially wrote about this bird in 1866.

Giving the Bird a Name

When they described the bird, they gave it a special scientific name. This name is Hypocmenis melanurus. Later, it was changed to Myrmoborus melanurus. This scientific name helps scientists all over the world know exactly which bird they are talking about. It's like a unique ID for the species.

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