Esmeraldas Antbird
Myrmeciza nigricauda
The Esmeraldas antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esmeraldas_antbird
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thamnophilidae
Genus
Myrmeciza
Esmeraldas Antbird belongs to the family Thamnophilidae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The Esmeraldas antbird is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The Esmeraldas Antbird faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development throughout its limited range in western Ecuador and northwestern Colombia. The species' dependence on intact lowland forest understory makes it particularly vulnerable to forest conversion and degradation. Its restricted geographic range amplifies the impact of these threats on population stability.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits humid lowland forests and forest edges in the Chocó bioregion, typically found in dense understory vegetation of primary and secondary tropical rainforests below 500m elevation. The species prefers areas with thick ground cover and tangled vegetation where it forages for insects and other arthropods.
Threats
Agricultural expansion
Deforestation and habitat loss
Forest fragmentation
Logging activities
Urban development
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Esmeraldas Antbird (Myrmeciza nigricauda). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/esmeraldas-antbird