Fun Silvered Antbird Facts For Kids

A passerine bird of the antbird family, the silvered antbird (Sclateria naevia) is the only member of the genus Sclateria. These birds are usually found in pairs feeding on the ground, looking for small insects such as bugs, beetles, leafhoppers, spiders, and many more. The species belongs to the Passeriformes order.

The species is a resident breeder in northern South America and is found in regions such as Colombia and Trinidad, south to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and central Brazil. These birds generally inhabit wet shaded areas and can be found under overhanging vegetation near lagoons, swamp forests, and streams.

The average weight and length of these birds are 0.04-0.05 lb (20-27 g) and 5.51- 6.29 in (14-16 cm) respectively. The adult male bird possesses dark gray upperparts and dusky wings with two rows of white spots while the adult female bird has dark brown upperparts with buff spots on the wings. The underparts have gray stripes. Males of the Sclateria naevia argentata subspecies have flanks while the upper chest is gray-white with gray spots. Females have white underparts with rufous sides.

The species is listed in the Least Concern category in the IUCN Red List but studies based on the Amazonian deforestation model reveal that these birds may lose around 12-14% of their habitat over the next 15 years. Predation is regarded as the other main threat to the species.

For more relatable content, check out these cockatoo facts and blue jay facts for kids.

What type of animal is a silvered antbird?

The silvered antbird (scientific name: Sclateria naevia) is a species of the Passeriformes order. The species is a resident breeder of South America. These birds are usually found in pairs feeding on the ground for small insects such as bugs, beetles, leafhoppers, spiders, and many more. The Sclateria naevia argentata is a subspecies of the silvered antbird.

What class of animal does a silvered antbird belong to?

This species belongs to the Thamnophilidae family, genus Sclateria, and Aves class. The bird is the only species of the Sclateria genus.

How many silvered antbirds are there in the world?

The exact population of silvered antbirds is not known as of now but these birds are widespread in several counties of South America. The species is also listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List and the current population seems to be stable.

Where does a silvered antbird live?

The species is a resident breeder in northern South America and it is found in regions such as Colombia and Trinidad, and south towards  Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and central Brazil.

What is a silvered antbird's habitat?

While talking about a typical silvered antbird habitat, it is important to note that the bird dwells in wet shaded areas and can often be found under overhanging vegetation near lagoons, swamp forests, and streams. These birds generally forage on the ground, they usually inhabit areas at an elevation of 2296 ft (700 m).

Who do silvered antbirds live with?

Like other species of the family Thamnophilidae (antbird), these birds form groups or flocks to live in. Their social behavior states that they might be monogamous which means each breeding pair remains the same in every breeding season. Also, both parents feed their chicks together.

How long does a silvered antbird live?

Exact information regarding the lifespan of the silvered antbird (Sclateria naevia) in northern South America is not known.

How do they reproduce?

Like other species of the family Thamnophilida, the silvered antbird follows similar methods of reproduction. These birds are monogamous which means each breeding pair remains the same in every breeding season. The breeding season generally occurs between the months of August and December in northern South America and several courtship displays are displayed during this period, mutual grooming is the most prominent display.

The silvered antbird female generally chooses the nest site and both parents are involved in making the nest. They construct a cup-shaped nest made up of green moss and thick rootlets. Females lay around two dull-white, buff gray, or bluish-white eggs while males are also involved in feeding the chicks.

What is their conservation status?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the species in the Least Concern category and the current population of the species seems to be stable as of now. However, their range on the map covers mich of South America and studies on Amazonian deforestation reveal that these birds may lose 12-14% of their habitat in next 15 years. The other major threat to the species is predation.

What do silvered antbirds look like?

A silvered antbird male possesses dark gray upperparts and dusky wings with two rows of white spots while an adult female bird has dark brown upperparts with buff spots on the wings. The underparts have gray stripes. Males of the Sclateria naevia argentata subspecies have flanks while the upper chest is gray-white with gray spots, and females have white underparts with rufous sides.

How cute are they?

Just like other species of the family Thamnophilidae, they are found in different patterns and colorings ranging between brown, white, rufous, black, and many more. Some of the species possess an eye-like marking that looks very fascinating and anyone would love the calls and songs of these birds. An interesting fact about them is that they generally groom each other during the breeding season, making them even cuter!

How do they communicate?

Like other birds, the silvered antbird (Sclateria naevia) uses similar methods to communicate with each other. This bird uses several songs and calls to find partners, and the bird generally produced a loud 'pi-pi-pi-pi' sound that indicates its presence in a difficult habitat. Also, the species performs several courtship displays in the breeding season.

How big is a silvered antbird?

The average weight and length of these birds are 0.04-0.05 lb (20-27 g) and 5.51- 6.29 in (14-16 cm) respectively. The bird is three times bigger than bee hummingbirds and ruby-crowned kinglets.

How fast can a silvered antbird fly?

The exact speed of the silvered antbird is not known as of now but this bird is known for hunting insects and arthropods quickly. Unlike other species, this bird easily forages from the surface of the water.

How much does a silvered antbird weigh?

The average weight of a silvered antbird is 0.04-0.05 lb (20-27 g).

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to male and female silvered antbirds. A male bird has dark gray upperparts and dusky wings while a female has dark brown upperparts.

What would you call a baby silvered antbird?

A baby silvered antbird is known as a chick, and both parents are involved in feeding the chick.

What do they eat?

This bird is an insectivore and the average silvered antbird diet mainly includes insects such as water beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, bugs, leafhoppers, and many more. These birds generally form groups while hunting near water surfaces.

Are they dangerous?

The silvered antbird (Sclateria naevia) prefers not to live around humans and is not considered dangerous to humans. Although, these birds possess sharp bills and they can attack if someone tries to provoke or harm them.

Would they make a good pet?

Generally, these are wild birds and they should not be kept in captivity, it would become quite hard for them to survive in human-made habitats.

Did you know...

No evidence regarding silvered antbird migration has been gathered as of now, so from this limited information, it can be inferred that the bird generally does not migrate.

How do you identify a silvered antbird?

The silvered antbird is a medium-sized bird that possesses a long bill. Males are generally gray and have white spots on their wings while females are generally brown (without the white spots seen on makes).

How did silvered antbirds get their name?

The scientific name 'Sclateria naevia' is a combination of two words. The word 'Sclateria' is used in honor of English ornithologist Dr. Philip Lutley Sclater, while the term 'naevia' is derived from the term 'naevius'. The term 'naevius' means 'spots' or 'blemishes'.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our eastern kingbird facts and toco toucan facts for kids pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our free printable Silvered antbird coloring pages.