Fasciated antshrike

The species is very closely related to the bamboo antshrike, and the two have previously been considered to be the same species. As the entire range of that species is shared with the fasciated antshrike, however, the two are now treated as two species. The fasciated antshrike has three subspecies, ' the nominate subspecies, C. l. lineatus , C. l. fasciatus (Ridgway, 1884) and C. l. intermedius (Hartert & Goodson, 1917).[2]

It is found from eastern Honduras down to Colombia, the Amazon Basin and the Guyanas. Its natural habitat tropical moist lowland forests, in tangled and dense vegetation in the mid-story of the forest. It is more common in secondary forest in Central America. It is usually found below 800 m (2,600 ft) and rarely up to 1,600 m (5,200 ft) . Where its range overlaps with that of the bamboo antshrike it is found at lower elevations than that species.[2]

The fasciated antshrike is a large antbird, 17 to 18 cm (6.7–7.1 in) long and weighing 35–40 g (1.2–1.4 oz). The plumage varies by sex (sexual dimorphism), with the male being black with white barring across the whole body. The barring is very faint on the crown and becomes more even further down the body. The crown is rufous on the female, and the rest of the body is brown bared with faint yellow-brown, become yellow-brown barred with brown further down the body. The bill is large and hooked.[2]

The fasciated antshrike makes a variety of calls, including lazy plaintive whistles and a rattle-like chatter.[2]