Sounds and Vocal Behavior

The song of Black-bellied Gnateater lasts about 2.5 seconds and consists of an evenly paced (0.6 s intervals) series of up to 5 short, dry, rattles, each lasting less than a second. It is produced at a frequency of 2-2.5 kHz and recalls the alarm calls of Pittasoma antpittas (Whitney 2003).

For a representative audio recording with sonogram, see audio

Call notes are abrupt, low grunts, barks, or short rattles (e.g., "“chidt-chit-it-it!") (Whitney 2003, van Perlo 2009).

For a representative audio recording with sonogram, see audio

Additional audio recordings of vocalizations of Black-bellied Gnateater can be heard at Macaulay Library, at xeno-canto, and at Internet Bird Collection.

Whitney (2003) describes males, in courtship or aggressive displays, making a loud whirring sound with their outer primaries while flying low and rapidly. This behavior has not been studied in detail, however, and requires proper documentation.