Birds
White-plumed Antbird
Pithys albifrons
Following a marching column of army ants through the Amazon rainforest, a white-plumed antbird snatches up insects fleeing the swarm, its bristly white facial plumes bobbing as it darts from perch to perch just ahead of the ants.
Overview
The white-plumed antbird, Pithys albifrons, is a Least Concern bird found across lowland rainforest throughout much of the Amazon basin. Its striking white facial plumes, near-total dependence on army ant swarms for foraging, and indirect relationship with the ants themselves make it one of the more specialized insectivorous birds found anywhere in the Neotropics.
A follower, not a predator of ants
Rather than eating the army ants it follows so closely, the white-plumed antbird relies on the chaos the ants create, snatching up insects and small creatures that flee the marching column in a relationship that benefits the bird without costing the ants anything directly.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable lowland rainforest habitat throughout its Amazon basin range.
White-plumed Antbird: common questions
Why does the white-plumed antbird follow army ants?
It depends almost entirely on swarming army ant columns for foraging success, following them to catch insects and other small creatures flushed out of hiding as the ants march, rather than preying on the ants themselves.
Why is it called the white-plumed antbird?
It shows bright white, bristly plumes around the face, a distinctive feature that gives the species its common name.
Can the white-plumed antbird find food without an ant swarm nearby?
Rarely with much success, since it is considered an obligate ant-follower that depends heavily on active army ant swarms to flush prey within easy reach.
Does the white-plumed antbird eat the army ants it follows?
No, it follows the ant columns specifically to catch the insects and small animals the ants disturb while marching, not to eat the ants themselves.