Sightings
This male White-bellied Antbird distinctive call jeer-jeer-jeer was heard on the main trail at the Asa Wright Centre on several occasions but it was still a surprise when I saw it in the open. The trail was quiet at the time and I was on my own so was able to remain still and concentrate on taking photographs as the bird hopped up the track probably looking for food along the way. As is often the case, it hopped away from me but turned on occasions to give a reasonable view.
Species
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes is a passerine which breeds in the tropical New World from Panama to northern Brazil and in Trinidad. It is also called Swainson’s Antcatcher (usually in historical sources) after William John Swainson, who first described it scientifically. This is the type species of Myrmeciza. This antbird, like others in its family, is a forest bird with a preference for undergrowth in dry or moist deciduous habitats. It is a resident breeder which lays two or three eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating.
Status and distribution
A species of least concern but with an unknown and thought to be decreasing population in a range of some 3 million square kilometres. There are 4 subspecies of which M. l. longipes is found in Trinidad as well as north-east Colombia and northern Venezuela. It is a widespread but uncommon resident of deciduous forest in Trinidad, skulking and not often seen. It is absent from Tobago.
References
Asa Wright Centre; BirdLife; Wikipedia; World Bird Names; Kenefick, M., Restall, R., and Hayes, F. (2015) Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 184.
Photograph
Fairly dark forest conditions after rain at 1/500th of a second, f5.6 and ISO 3200.
Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Location: Asa Wright Centre
Family: Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)
Species: White-bellied Antbird (Myrmeciza longipes)
Date taken: 10/05/2017