Tawny-faced Antwren – Mistico Park, CR

This Tawny-faced Antwren kept low in the understory at Mistico Park, Costa Rica. It rarely staying still for more than a few seconds. It made quick jumps from plant to plant, constantly disappearing behind leaves before popping up somewhere nearby. The bird moved within a very loose flock of similarly active understory species like the streak-crowned Antvireo. They were all working through the vegetation in much the same way. Tawny-faced Antwrens often join mixed-species flocks and may associate with birds following army-ant swarms. There are approximately 50 to 100 “ant following” birds in Costa Rica. Despite plenty of activity around us, we never saw any army ants—the birds apparently had their own lunch plans.