Definition

Noun: 1. A kind of antbird: "Ant thrush" is a common name for certain small to medium-sized, insectivorous birds found in tropical regions of the Americas. They are typically ground-dwelling or found in the understory of forests and are known for following swarms of army ants to feed on insects flushed out by the ants.

Usage

• The term "ant thrush" is used as a common name in ornithology and birdwatching to describe specific species within the antbird family (Thamnophilidae).
• It is a compound noun where "ant" refers to the bird's feeding behavior and "thrush" likens it to other ground-feeding songbirds, though it is not a true thrush.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted an ant thrush foraging on the forest floor.
  • The ant thrush is one of many bird species that specialize in following ant swarms.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in ecological studies describing commensal relationships, where the bird benefits from the ant swarm's hunting without harming the ants.
• It can appear in birding guides and checklists for neotropical regions.

Variants and Related Words

• Antbird (n): The broader family (Thamnophilidae) to which birds called "ant thrushes" belong.
• Ant-follower (n): An ecological term for any bird (like an ant thrush, antwren, or antvireo) that habitually follows army ant swarms.

Synonyms

• Ant-following bird: A more general descriptive term.
• Ground antbird: A descriptive synonym highlighting its typical habitat.

Notes on Meaning

• "Ant thrush" is not a single species but a colloquial name applied to several species, such as some in the genera and . The specific bird referred to can vary by region.
• It is crucial to distinguish it from the unrelated antthrush, which is sometimes spelled as one word and may refer specifically to birds in the genus .

Noun

1. a kind of antbird