Fasciated Antshrike – Pipeline Road Gamboa, PA

Along Pipeline Road in Gamboa, Panama, this male Fasciated Antshrike gave us a great look through the dense rainforest foliage. Its black-and-white barring and bright red eye make it look remarkably similar to a male Barred Antshrike. The Fasciated is the bigger, heavier bird, with finer barring and a noticeably larger, strongly hooked bill. (BirdForum) Both species occur around Gamboa. Telling them apart can take a second when one suddenly appears among the leaves. Pipeline Road is excellent habitat for the this Antbird. It often stays tucked into the forest rather than sitting conveniently in the open. Also keep an eye on the eye, Fasciated Antshrike have a red eye.