Gray Antbird

The Gray Antbird, is restricted to the Pacific slope of the Andes in southwestern Ecuador, particularly in El Oro and Loja provinces, where it inhabits dense understory of montane evergreen forests, often associated with Chusquea bamboo between 600 and 2,500 meters. It occurs patchily and is generally uncommon, with occupancy limited by its specialized microhabitat preferences and ongoing habitat degradation. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with an estimated population of 8,000–18,000 mature individuals and a declining trend due to deforestation and livestock impacts on forest structure. Natural history observations highlight its insectivorous diet, quiet foraging in pairs or family groups, and year-round residency, though nesting behavior remains poorly documented.