The harlequin antbird (Rhegmatorhina berlepschi) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".[2] It is endemic to Brazil.[3]
| Harlequin antbird | |
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| Female | |
;_Amazonia_National_Park,_Itaituba,_Par%C3%A1,_Brazil_(cropped).jpg)
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| Male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thamnophilidae |
| Genus: | Rhegmatorhina |
| Species: | R. berlepschi
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhegmatorhina berlepschi (Snethlage, 1907)
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Taxonomy and systematics
editThe five members of genus Rhegmatorhina are sisters to the three species of genus Gymnopithys.[4][2] The harlequin antbird frequently hybridizes with the congeneric white-breasted antbird (R. hoffmannsi).[5] The harlequin antbird is monotypic.[2]
Description
editThe harlequin antbird is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long. Both sexes have a small crest and a pale grayish green ring of bare skin around the eye. Adult males have a dark brownish crown; their crest and nape are rufous-chestnut. Their upperparts, wings, and tail are olive-brown with rufous edges on the wing feathers. Their face and throat are black and their breast's center rufous-chestnut. The sides of their neck and the rest of their underparts are gray with an olive-brown tinge on the flanks. Adult females are similar to males with the addition of buff-edged black tips on their upperpart feathers and wing coverts and black and pale buff banding on their sides and lower breast.[6][7]
Distribution and habitat
editThe harlequin antbird has a very limited range in Amazonian Brazil. It is bounded by the Amazon on the north, the Rio Madeira on the west, and the Rio Tapajós on the east. Its southern limit is indistinct. The species inhabits the understorey of humid terra firme evergreen forest. Its range is entirely below 100 m (300 ft) of elevation.[6][7]
Behavior
editMovement
editThe harlequin antbird is a year-round resident.[6]
Feeding
editThe harlequin antbird is an obligate ant follower that feeds on a variety of arthropods that flee foraging army ant swarms, such as those of Eciton burchelli. It typically forages individually, in pairs, and in family groups, perching within about 1 m (3 ft) of the ground and sallying or pouncing to the ground after prey. Several family groups may attend an ant swarm. It is dominant over smaller antbirds but subordinate to larger antbirds and species of other families such as woodcreepers.[6][7][8]
Breeding
editThe harlequin antbird is believed to breed late in the rainy season, perhaps beginning in December. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding biology.[6]
Vocalization
editThe harlequin antbird's song is a "very high, slightly descending series of loud, sharp notes, the 1st drawn out, the rest becoming shorter".[7] Its calls include a "harsh, vibrant 'chirr' [and an] abrupt 'chip' ".[6]
Status
editThe IUCN has assessed the harlequin antbird as being of Least Concern. It has a limited range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is considered uncommon and "considered to be of high sensitivity to human disturbance". Much of its range is within Tapajós National Park, which however is "highly threatened by gold-miners, by squatters and, probably most seriously, by hydro-electric development of Tapajós Basin".[6]
References
edit- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Harlequin Antbird Rhegmatorhina berlepschi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22701904A93853959. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22701904A93853959.en. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Antbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 4 March 2024. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved March 5, 2024
- ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 4 March 2024. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved March 5, 2024
- ^ Isler, M.L., Bravo, G.A. and Brumfield, R.T. (2014). Systematics of the obligate ant-following clade of antbirds (Aves, Passeriformes, Thamnophilidae). Wilson J. Orn. 126(4): 635–648
- ^ a b c d e f g Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Harlequin Antbird (Rhegmatorhina berlepschi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.harant1.01 retrieved May 26, 2024
- ^ a b c d van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 262–263. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.
- ^ Willis, Edwin O. (1969). "On the behavior of five species of Rhegmatorhina, ant-following antbirds of the Amazon basin" (PDF). Wilson Bulletin. 81: 362–395.