Bushbird

Common name: Recurve-billed Bushbird
Scientific name: Clytoctantes alixii

This male Bushbird was photographed by ProAves staff, Adriana Tovar and Luis Eduardo Uruena. The publication of these photos is the first time this globally Endangered species has been captured on camera. This Bushbird inhabits a relic dry pre-montane cloud forest and is a very unique area predominantly covered with bamboo forest. This Bushbird is found across the north of both Colombia and Venezuela but has a small distribution range. It is named for its extraordinary bill, which curves upwards. The Bushbird is 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) long and unmistakable. The male is slate gray, the female rufescent brown. It is insectivorous and a bamboo specialist. It has been seen in mixed flocks including the brush-finches following ant trails and occasionally opening bamboo stems with its beak in the manner of an axe, to extract caterpillars, spiders and other insects.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
Genus: Clytoctantes
Species: C. alixii

Category: Bird Description