Northern chestnut-tailed antbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern chestnut-tailed antbird |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sciaphylax
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| Species: |
castanea
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| Synonyms | |
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The northern chestnut-tailed antbird (Sciaphylax castanea) is a small bird that lives in the Amazon Rainforest. You can find it in parts of northeastern Peru and eastern Ecuador. It belongs to a bird family called Thamnophilidae, which are often known as antbirds.
About This Bird
This special bird was first described by an American bird expert named John Zimmer. He wrote about it in 1932. At first, he thought it was a type of southern chestnut-tailed antbird. Scientists often give animals a long scientific name to show their exact type.
Later, in 2013, scientists did more studies. They looked closely at the birds' DNA. This helped them understand how different bird species are related. They found that some birds were grouped together incorrectly. Because of this, the northern chestnut-tailed antbird and its southern cousin were moved to a new group. This new group, or genus, is called Sciaphylax. This helps scientists organize animals better.
What Does It Look Like?
The northern chestnut-tailed antbird is a small bird. It is about 11 to 12 centimeters (about 4.3 to 4.7 inches) long. It weighs around 16 to 17 grams, which is about as much as a few quarters.
This bird looks a lot like its close relative, Sciaphylax hemimelaena. But you can tell them apart by their unique calls. The northern chestnut-tailed antbird has a short tail.
Male and Female Differences
The male bird has a dark gray head and neck. Its upper body is a reddish-brown color. The feathers on its wings are blackish with white or yellowish-brown tips. Its tail is a reddish-brown too. The male's throat and chest are black. Its sides and belly have gray and brown colors.
The female bird looks similar to the male, but her colors are a bit lighter. Her throat and chest are a chestnut or reddish-orange color. Her belly is white with a hint of yellowish-brown.
