Wing-banded antbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wing-banded antbird |
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),_Carajas_National_Forest,_Par%C3%A1,_Brazil.jpg) |
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Myrmornis
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torquata
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The wing-banded antbird (Myrmornis torquata) is a special type of passerine bird. It belongs to the antbird family, called Thamnophilidae. This bird is the only species in its genus Myrmornis.
You can find the wing-banded antbird in many countries. These include Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It likes to live in warm, wet lowland forests. These are often called subtropical or tropical moist forests.
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About the Wing-banded Antbird
The wing-banded antbird is known for its unique look. It has a special "collar" or band around its neck. This feature gives the bird its name. It is a small to medium-sized bird. Antbirds are usually found in the undergrowth of forests. They often follow swarms of army ants to catch insects.
Where the Antbird Lives
This bird prefers dense, humid forests. It lives in the lower parts of these forests. This habitat provides plenty of food and cover. The forests are found across Central and South America. They are important for many different animals.
What's in a Name?
The wing-banded antbird got its scientific name, Myrmornis torquata, a long time ago. The first part, Myrmornis, comes from ancient Greek words. Murmēx means "ant" and ornis means "bird". This name tells us that it's a bird that often follows ants. The second part, torquata, is Latin for "collared". This describes the band around its neck.
Scientists first described this bird in 1779. A French scientist named Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, wrote about it. He saw a bird from Cayenne, French Guiana. Later, in 1783, another scientist, Pieter Boddaert, gave it its official scientific name.
Different Types of Wing-banded Antbirds
Scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of the wing-banded antbird:
- M. t. stictoptera: This type lives from eastern Nicaragua to northwestern Colombia.
- M. t. torquata: This type is found in the Amazon rainforest.
Some bird experts even think these two types are separate species. They call them the northern wing-banded antbird (Myrmornis stictoptera) and the southern wing-banded antbird (Myrmornis torquata). This shows how scientists sometimes have different ideas about how to classify animals.
See also
In Spanish: Hormiguero alifranjeado para niños
