Short-tailed Antthrush vs Rufous-tailed Antthrush

The Short-tailed Antthrush and Rufous-tailed Antthrush are both ground-dwelling birds with brown upperparts, but the Short-tailed has a distinct short tail and bold dark chevron markings on its underparts, while the Rufous-tailed shows more rufous tones over the rump and tail with scallop-patterned underparts. Both species have a whitish supercilium, but the Rufous-tailed also features a white throat and malar line.

Look for the short tail and chevron-shaped markings on the underparts to identify the Short-tailed Antthrush. The Rufous-tailed Antthrush can be distinguished by its rufous rump and tail and scallop-patterned underparts. Both have a whitish supercilium, but the Rufous-tailed also has a white throat and malar line.

The Short-tailed Antthrush is warm earth brown above with bold dark chevron-shaped markings below, and a short whitish supercilium. In contrast, the Rufous-tailed Antthrush is brown above with a more rufous rump and tail, scallop-patterned underparts, and a white throat, malar line, and supercilium.

Both species spend most of their time walking quietly on the forest floor searching for food.