Bluish-slate Antshrike vs Black Antbird

In short

The female Bluish-slate Antshrike is gray above with bright cinnamon-rufous underparts, while the female Black Antbird is browner above with warm rufous-buff below and brighter wing spotting. Habitat preference and foraging height can also help distinguish these species.

Identification tips

1. Look for gray upperparts and bright cinnamon-rufous underparts for Bluish-slate Antshrike females. 2. Note the browner upperparts and rufous-buff below with brighter wing spotting for Black Antbird females. 3. Consider habitat and foraging height: Bluish-slate Antshrikes are often higher in mixed flocks, while Black Antbirds are in the undergrowth.

Plumage

Female Bluish-slate Antshrikes are gray above with bright cinnamon-rufous underparts. In contrast, female Black Antbirds are browner above with warm rufous-buff below and have brighter wing spotting.

Habitat

Bluish-slate Antshrikes inhabit the lower stories of lowland evergreen forests, often foraging at higher levels within mixed-species flocks. Black Antbirds are found in the undergrowth of humid evergreen forests in upper Amazonia.