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Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
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Crested Ant-tanager

Habia cristata
Habia Copetona
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Song

Crested Ant-tanager

Appearance: The Crested Ant-tanager is a medium-sized bird with a striking appearance. It features a nice crest on its head. The plumage is a rich reddish-brown, with males having brighter and more vibrant coloration compared to females. The underparts are often paler, and the bird has a stout bill suited for its diet.
Habitat: This species is primarily found in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It thrives in the dense understory of these forests, often at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,100 m above sea level. The Crested Ant-tanager prefers areas with thick vegetation, which provides ample cover and foraging opportunities.
Behavior: Crested Ant-tanagers are known for their active and social behavior. They often move in small groups or pairs, foraging through the understory for insects and other invertebrates. These birds are also known to follow army ant swarms, capturing prey items that are flushed out by the ants. 
Breeding: The breeding behavior of the Crested Ant-tanager is not extensively documented, but like many tropical birds, they have a defined breeding season that coincides with periods of food abundance. They build cup-shaped nests in dense foliage, where the female lays a clutch of two to three eggs. Both parents are involved in feeding and caring for the chicks.
Conservation Status: The Crested Ant-tanager is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Distribution

The Crested Ant-tanager is endemic to Colombia, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its distribution is within the central and western Andes, where fitting montane forest habitats exist. Conservation areas and national parks within these regions play a crucial role in the preservation of this unique bird species.

Taxonomy

The Crest Ant-tanager (Habia cristata)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Cardinalidae
  • Genus: Habia
  • Species: Habia cristata

Vocalization

Their vocalizations are a series of sharp, musical notes that can be heard echoing through their forest habitats.

Territorial Calls: Males often use loud and clear calls to establish and defend their territory from intruders. These calls help maintain spacing between neighboring individuals or groups.
Mating Calls: Vocalizations play a crucial role in attracting mates. Males may use specific calls to court females during the breeding season.

Communication: Within family groups or small flocks, vocalizations help maintain cohesion and coordinate movements, especially when foraging.

Purpose

The Crested Ant-tanager's vocalizations and social behavior are closely tied to its ecological role and lifestyle:
Foraging: As its name suggests, the Crested Ant-tanager often follows army ant swarms, feeding on the insects and small animals that are flushed out by the ants. Vocal communication helps the birds maintain contact while moving through dense forest understory.
Social Structure: These birds are usually found in pairs or small family groups. Their vocalizations facilitate social interactions and strengthen bonds within the group.

Predator Awareness: Alarm calls are used to warn group members of potential predators, enhancing the group's survival.