Dull‑mantled Antbird, Salvin's Antbird (former name)
Sipia laemosticta
Scientific Name
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
Family
Passeriformes
Order
S. l. laemosticta
Subspecies. Eastern Nicaragua through Costa Rica to western Panama
S. l. palliata
Subspecies. Eastern Panama through northwestern Colombia to northwestern Ecuador
Range and Habitat of Dull‑mantled Antbird, Salvin's Antbird (former name)
Geographic Range
Eastern Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, northwestern Ecuador
Migratory Patterns
Non-migratory resident species. Some altitudinal movements possible in response to food availability.
Preferred Habitat
Primary and mature secondary humid lowland and foothill forests. Prefers dense understory with abundant leaf litter, especially near streams and ravines.
Altitude Range
Most common between 50-800 m, occasionally to 1,200 m
Costa Rica Habitat
- Caribbean slope from Cordillera de Guanacaste south through Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca
- Provinces: Alajuela, Heredia, Limón, Cartago, Puntarenas (Pacific slope only in extreme south)
- Notable protected areas: La Selva Biological Station, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Barbilla National Park, Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve, La Amistad International Park
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Global population not quantified but considered stable
Deforestation and forest fragmentation
Conservation efforts
Protected in numerous Costa Rican national parks and reserves; Part of Mesoamerican Biological Corridor initiative
Primary Threats
Deforestation and forest fragmentation
Dull‑mantled Antbird, Salvin's Antbird (former name) Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM), Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)
Size
Length: 14-15 cm; Weight: 18-24 g (males average 22 g, females 20 g)
Plumage
Adult males: Slate-gray head and upperparts with darker, blackish-brown mantle and back. Throat black with white spots forming a distinctive bib. Breast and flanks rufous-chestnut, becoming paler on belly. Wing coverts show small white spots forming two wing bars.
Adult females: Similar pattern but with olive-brown replacing gray on head and upperparts. Throat buff with dark streaking rather than black with white spots. Underparts more uniformly rufous-buff.Distinctive Features
Black bill, relatively stout and hooked at tip (15-16 mm), gray legs and feet, dark brown iris, distinctive white-spotted black throat in males, short, rounded tail
Sexual Dimorphism
Males show stronger contrast with gray head, black throat with white spots, and richer rufous underparts. Females more uniformly brownish with buff throat streaking.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- Arthropods: spiders, beetles, cockroaches, crickets, caterpillars, occasionally small frogs and lizards
Foraging Techniques
- Obligate ant-follower, attending army ant swarms 60-80% of foraging time
Feeding Times
- Most active during morning hours (6:00-11:00) when army ant activity peaks, with secondary activity period mid-afternoon
Behavior Patterns
Dull‑mantled Antbird, Salvin's Antbird (former name)
Social Structure
Typically in mated pairs year-round. Dull-mantled Antbird forms mixed-species ant-following flocks with other antbirds, woodcreepers, and tanagers.
Song and Vocalization
Song: Series of 6-8 clear whistled notes, accelerating and rising in pitch “whee-whee-whee-whi-whi-whi”
Call: Sharp “chek” or “pik” notes, often given in series
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Male performs wing-flicking displays showing white wing spots
Territoriality
Defends core area of 2-4 hectares around nest site but shares ant swarm attendance areas with neighboring pairs
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Dull‑mantled Antbird, Salvin's Antbird (former name)
- La Selva Biological Station, Sarapiquí
- Braulio Carrillo National Park (Quebrada González sector)
- Rara Avis Reserve
- Selva Verde Lodge trails
- Pipeline Road at La Selva
- Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve
Best Time of the Year
Year-round, but most vocal and visible March-June during breeding season
Common Behavior
Listen for army ant swarm activity (chirping of antbirds, rustling leaves). Look for mixed antbird flocks in forest understory. This bird often allows close approach when focused on ant swarm.
Recommended Gear
- 8×42 binoculars ideal for dark forest conditions
- Camera with good low-light performance (ISO 3200+)
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Peak March-June (early wet season), secondary peak September-November
Nesting Sites
Pensile cup suspended from fork in horizontal branch, made of dark rootlets, fungal rhizomorphs, and dead leaves. Typically 0.5-3 m above ground in understory shrubs or saplings
Clutch Size
2 eggs (rarely 1)
Incubation Period
16-17 days
Parental Care
Both parents incubate (female at night) and feed chicks. Fledging occurs at 11-12 days. Parents continue feeding fledglings for 3-4 weeks.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
– Can track army ant colonies over several days, remembering bivouac locations
– Maintains “trapline” route checking known ant colony locationsCultural Significance
In Costa Rican folklore, antbirds following army ants are called “pájaros hormigueros” and are considered indicators of healthy forest ecosystems
Surprising Traits
They can detect army ant chemical trails from over 20 meters away
How do I identify this bird?
Look for a medium-sized antbird with distinctive white-spotted black throat (males) or buff-streaked throat (females), rufous underparts, and two faint wing bars. Usually seen in pairs near the ground in dark forest understory.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
La Selva Biological Station offers the most reliable sightings, especially along the CEN and CES trails. The Quebrada González sector of Braulio Carrillo National Park is also excellent, particularly early morning.
Is it endangered?
No, it’s listed as Least Concern, but populations are declining due to deforestation. It requires primary or mature secondary forest with intact understory and healthy army ant populations.