Cocha Antshrike

The Southern Black Ameisenwürger ( Thamnophilus praecox ), sometimes called Cocha - wool back, is a species of bird in the genus Ameisenwürger ( Thamnophilus ). The species is endemic to the Várzeawälder Ecuador. The stock is assessed by the IUCN as Near Threatened ( Near Threatened ). The species is considered monotypic.

The name was given to the bird, as it follows army ants to destroy them.

Features

The Southern Black Ameisenwürger reaches a body length of about 16 centimeters. The male is dark black through and through. Only the under wing-coverts are white, but that does not really stand out in the wild. In the female head, chest, throat and breast are black with small white streaks on the breast. The top is bright cinnamon to reddish brown. The underside is similar color as the top, but a little paler.

Distribution area

The habitat extends from the Rio Lagarto Cocha to Zancudococha on the southern part of the Rio Aguarico. Individual reports and voice recordings there from Río Pacuyacu and Napo River. It can therefore be assumed that the bird could also occur in Peru and Colombia. The bird moves in the lower ranges of typical Várzeawäldern. Here he is usually located in very dense vegetation, so it is very difficult to detect. He moves preferably near water. So he preferred terrain that is flooded throughout the year.

Behavior

The Southern Black Ameisenwürger is usually in pairs on the go. His food he relates from the dense bushes near the water. Rarely do we see him with other ants birds like the Northern Grauameisenschnäpper ( Hypocnemoides melanopogon ). Mixed groups are rather the exception. Unlike other ants birds of the Southern Black Ameisenwürger until mid-morning seems to be rarely vocally active.