Roraiman Antbird

Locally uncommon and decidedly skulking; a tough, sought-after tepui understory specialty. Restricted to streamside slopes, so it requires being in exactly the right microhabitat. Heard far more often than seen — a real prize when shown well.

Stocky understory antbird, 14–16 cm. Male: uniform dark slate-gray with bold white spots on the wing coverts (white wing 'dots') and often a partly concealed white interscapular patch. Female: brown above, rich rufous below with a contrasting gray face. Formerly treated as a subspecies of Spot-winged Antbird (M. leucostigma).

Dense understory of tall, wet evergreen forest on tepui slopes, strongly tied to the margins of clear, swift streams on steep, rocky terrain; mostly 1,000–1,500 m in Venezuela.

Skulks low in dense streamside tangles and on mossy boulders, hopping in cover and rarely in the open. Pairs hold territory along watercourses; responds to playback but stays in shadow. Not a dedicated army-ant follower.

Song a series of notes that start slowly, accelerate, then drop sharply in pitch at the end. 'Long call' is an abrupt high note followed by a downslurred whistle; also an abrupt single/short-series note and a short rattle. Recordings: search 'Myrmelastes saturatus' or 'Roraiman Antbird' on Xeno-canto and the Macaulay Library.

Work the species only along clear rushing streams on steep slopes — anywhere else is wasted effort. Use short, sparing playback at dawn and position clients with a clear sightline into a low gap; the bird will often answer and creep close but stay in shadow, so prep people for a quick, dim view of the white wing spots.