Bare-crowned Antbird vs Zeledon's Antbird

In short

The Bare-crowned Antbird and Zeledon's Antbird can be distinguished by the male's bare crown in the former, while both species have similar black plumage. Females of both are brown, but the Bare-crowned Antbird female has redder underparts. Both species are skulky and often found in dense cover.

Identification tips

1. Look for the bare crown in male Bare-crowned Antbirds. 2. Note the redder underparts in female Bare-crowned Antbirds compared to the duskier face and throat of female Zeledon's Antbirds. 3. Listen for the distinct downslurred chirping whistles of the Bare-crowned Antbird. 4. Consider habitat, as Zeledon's Antbirds are often found in areas with treefalls or light gaps.

Plumage

Male Bare-crowned Antbirds are entirely black with a distinctive bare crown and small white spots on the wing coverts, whereas male Zeledon's Antbirds are all black with dull blue orbital skin around the red irides. Female Bare-crowned Antbirds are brown with redder underparts, while female Zeledon's Antbirds are warm brown with duskier face and throat and a blackish tail.

Behaviour

Both species are skulky and often remain in dense cover, making them difficult to observe. Bare-crowned Antbirds are less likely to join mixed-species flocks, while Zeledon's Antbirds may be found in areas with treefalls or light gaps.

Habitat

Bare-crowned Antbirds are found in the understory of their territory, occasionally near army-ant swarms. Zeledon's Antbirds occupy humid evergreen forests, often on hillsides and up to 2000 m elevation.

Voice

The Bare-crowned Antbird's song is a repeated series of downslurred chirping whistles. Zeledon's Antbird generally sings from dense cover, but specific vocal differences are not detailed.