Spiny-faced Antshrike
VU

Spiny-faced Antshrike

Xenornis setifrons

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speckled_antshrike

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Spiny-faced Antshrike faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation across its limited range in the Chocó bioregion of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Large-scale logging operations and agricultural conversion have fragmented its specialized lowland rainforest habitat, while mining activities and infrastructure development continue to reduce available territory. The species' restricted range and apparent low population density make it particularly vulnerable to these ongoing habitat modifications.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Spiny-faced Antshrike inhabits dense lowland rainforests of the Chocó region, typically found in the understory and middle story of primary and mature secondary forests. It prefers areas with dense vegetation and vine tangles between 50-800 meters elevation, particularly in regions with high rainfall and humidity characteristic of the Pacific coastal forests.

Other threatened species in Thamnophilidae

Ocellated AntbirdEN

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

Unknown
Stub-tailed AntbirdVU

Stub-tailed Antbird

Myrmeciza berlepschi

Unknown
Western AntvireoVU

Western Antvireo

Dysithamnus occidentalis

Unknown
White-streaked AntvireoVU

White-streaked Antvireo

Dysithamnus leucostictus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spiny-faced Antshrike classified as Vulnerable?
Spiny-faced Antshrike is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Spiny-faced Antshrike faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation across its limited range in the Chocó bioregion of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Large-scale logging operations and agricultural conversion have fragmented its specialized lowland rainforest habitat, while mining activities and infrastructure development continue to reduce available territory. The species' restricted range and apparent low population density make it particularly vulnerable to these ongoing habitat modifications.
Where does Spiny-faced Antshrike live?
Spiny-faced Antshrike occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Spiny-faced Antshrike?
The main threats to Spiny-faced Antshrike are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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