Rondonia Bushbird Clytoctantes atrogularis Scientific name definitions

The Rondonia Bushbird was discovered in 1986 along the Rio Ji-paraná in Rondonia, but has subsequently been detected at several other sites in the upper portion of the Madeira-Tapajós interfluvium. It is a distinctive, large anbird with a bizarre recurved, chisel-shaped bill. The male is black overall, while the female is rufous with a black throat. It resembles both the Recurve-billed Bushbird (C. alixii) of northern Colombia and the Black Bushbird (Neoctantes niger) of western Amazonia, but both sexes can be distinguished from either species by plumage details. It is likely easiest to detect aurally, particularly given its apparent predilection for tangled undergrowth and vines in lowland terra firme forest. It has been observed using its peculiar bill to pound and dig at vines. This species is very poorly known, but it is presumably threatened by the continued habitat destruction within its known range.