En bref

• Scientific Name: Hypoedaleus guttatus
• Spanish Name: Batará Dorsicastaño
• Family: Thamnophilidae
• Known Nicknames: Spot-backed Antshrike, Spotted Antshrike
• Average Length: 20–23 cm / 8–9 in
• Average Weight: 50–70 g / 1.8–2.5 oz
• Envergure : N/A
• Key Feature: Yellowish-buff underparts with bold black spots on the back and crown
• Régime alimentaire principal : Insectivore
• Range: Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
• Habitat: Atlantic Forest understory and edges, humid lowland forests
• Structure sociale : Solitaires ou en couples
• Nesting/Breeding: Cup nest built in a tree fork
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Évolution démographique : En baisse

The Spot-backed Antshrike (*Hypoedaleus guttatus*) is a striking and elusive bird of the Atlantic Forest, instantly recognized by its unique, bold pattern of large, round white spots scattered across its black back and wings—a feature that sets it apart from all other antshrikes. A medium-sized member of the antbird family, both sexes share this distinctive spotted back, though the male boasts a jet-black throat and chest, while the female is a warm rufous-brown below. Its most special feature is a loud, descending, and almost eerie whistled song, often given as a duet between mated pairs, which echoes through the dense understory where it forages for insects and spiders. With a stout, hooked bill and a habit of cocking its tail, this secretive bird is a master of camouflage among the shadows and leaf litter, making a sighting a true prize for any birder.

Faits amusants

Despite its name, the Spot-backed Antshrike’s most eye-catching feature isn’t its spots—it’s the male’s piercing, orange-red irises that glow like embers in the dark understory, a rare trait among antbirds. This species engages in a quirky “duet” with its mate, where the male lets out a descending, nasal *neeeah* and the female immediately answers with a sharp, rising *chee*, synchronizing so tightly it sounds like a single bird. It has a peculiar foraging habit of clinging sideways to vertical bamboo stalks, using its stout, hooked bill to pry off bark and expose hidden insects, a technique more typical of woodcreepers than typical antbirds. When alarmed, it freezes with its tail cocked upward at a near-vertical angle, mimicking a broken twig or a fallen leaf, a motionless camouflage that can last for minutes even as a human approaches within arm’s reach.

Habitats et répartition

The Spot-backed Antshrike is primarily found in the lowland and foothill forests of the Atlantic Forest biome in southeastern Brazil, extending into adjacent parts of eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (Misiones province). It inhabits the dense understory and midstory of humid primary and secondary forests, often favoring areas with tangled vines, bamboo thickets, and streamside vegetation. The species is generally restricted to elevations below 1,000 meters, where it occupies both interior forest and well-shaded edges, but it avoids open or heavily degraded habitats.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Spot-backed Antshrike is a monogamous species, typically forming stable pairs that defend a territory year-round. Its social structure is based on this bonded pair, which cooperates in all aspects of breeding. Mating is initiated through duetting, where the male and female perform synchronized vocalizations to reinforce their bond and warn off intruders. The pair builds a cup-shaped nest together, often in a fork of a tree or shrub. A unique reproductive strategy is their cooperative nest defense: both parents aggressively mob and attack potential predators, including large birds and mammals, using coordinated dive-bombing and loud calls. The female typically lays two eggs, and both parents share incubation duties. After hatching, the chicks are fed by both adults, and the family group remains together until the young become independent, often staying within the parents' territory for several months before dispersing.

Alimentation

The Spot-backed Antshrike is an insectivorous bird, primarily feeding on a variety of arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, grasshoppers, and spiders. It typically forages alone or in pairs within the dense understory of humid forests, using a methodical gleaning technique to pluck prey from leaves, branches, and bark. An interesting aspect of its diet is that it often follows army ant swarms, not to eat the ants themselves, but to capture the numerous insects and other invertebrates that flee from the advancing ant columns. This behavior makes it a regular participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, where it opportunistically snatches prey startled by other birds.

Couleurs

The Spot-backed Antshrike has a bold black-and-white streaked head and upperparts, with distinct large white spots on its black back and wing coverts. Its underparts are white, heavily marked with black streaks and spots, and the male shows a unique black throat patch. This disruptive black-and-white pattern breaks up its outline in the dappled light of its forest understory habitat, serving as effective camouflage.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Détails de l'attraction

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