Spotted Antbird (Hylophylax naevioides)
Description and Feathers:
The Spotted Antbird is a small, striking bird found in the understory of tropical forests. Adults measure about 12.5 cm (5 inches) in length. Males have a black face, throat, and upper chest, contrasting sharply with a white belly that’s covered in bold black spots—hence the name «Spotted.» Their upperparts are olive-brown with chestnut-colored wings marked by white wingbars. Females are similar but duller overall, with a more subdued face pattern and less contrast in the spotting. Their large, dark eyes and sturdy legs are adapted for forest-floor life.
Behavior and Ecology:
This bird is famously associated with army ant swarms. Spotted Antbirds do not eat the ants but instead follow the swarms to catch insects and small creatures that flee from the advancing ants. This makes them a classic example of a “professional ant-follower.” They’re territorial and are typically observed alone, in pairs, or small family groups. Their foraging style involves short flights or hops near the ground, often pausing to scan for prey.
Habitat:
Spotted Antbirds are found in humid lowland and foothill forests, especially in areas with dense understory and plenty of leaf litter. They prefer mature forests but can sometimes be found in well-preserved secondary growth.
Geographic Range (Places to See It):
This species is found from Honduras to western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, primarily on the Caribbean slope. Notable places to spot Spotted Antbirds include:
- La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica
- Pipeline Road, Panama (especially in Soberanía National Park)
- Darien region, Panama
- Esmeraldas and Chocó forests, in western Colombia and Ecuador
Breeding Season:
The breeding season varies by region but generally peaks during the rainy season. In Central America, this is often from April to July. The species builds a small, cup-shaped nest low to the ground, often in the fork of a shrub. Both parents participate in caring for the chicks.
Food:
Their diet consists primarily of insects and arthropods, such as beetles, crickets, spiders, and larvae. They are opportunistic foragers and rely heavily on the presence of ant swarms to locate prey flushed from the leaf litter.
