About Thamnophilus multistriatus Lafresnaye, 1844
The bar-crested antshrike (Thamnophilus multistriatus Lafresnaye, 1844) measures 15 to 16.5 cm (5.9 to 6.5 in) in length and weighs 21 to 23 g (0.74 to 0.81 oz). All species in the genus Thamnophilus are relatively large members of the antbird family, and all have stout hooked bills similar to the bills of true shrikes. This species shows clear sexual dimorphism, though both sexes have a crest. For the nominate subspecies T. m. multistriatus, adult males have almost entirely black and white alternating barring across their plumage, including on the crest. The only exceptions are their face and throat, which have black and white streaks instead. Adult females of the nominate subspecies have cinnamon-rufous coloration on the crest, crown, upperparts, wings, and tail. Their nape has a narrow black and white band. The sides of their head and throat are streaked black and white. The rest of their underparts are barred black and white, with a reddish brown tinge on the lower flanks. Adult individuals of both sexes have a yellowish iris. Subadult males look similar to adult males, but have a yellowish-brown tinge on their body and flight feathers. Four subspecies are recognized, each with distinct physical traits: T. m. brachyurus has a shorter tail than the nominate subspecies, and its white underpart bars are wider; T. m. selvae also has a shorter tail than the nominate, but its black underpart bars are wider; T. m. oecotonophilus resembles T. m. selvae, but has a longer tail. The bar-crested antshrike has a disjunct distribution, with all four subspecies found primarily in Colombia. T. m. brachyurus occurs in the Western Andes of Colombia (except the headwaters of the San Juan River) and the western slope of the Central Andes between the departments of Antioquia and Cauca. T. m. selvae is found in Colombia at the headwaters of the San Juan River on the western slope of the Western Andes in the departments of Risaralda and Caldas. T. m. multistriatus, the nominate subspecies, is located in Colombia on the eastern slope of the Central Andes and the western slope of the Eastern Andes, from Antioquia and Santander departments south to Nariño Department. T. m. oecotonophilus is found in Colombia on the western slope of the Eastern Andes in the departments of Norte de Santander and Boyacá; it is also listed as occurring in the Serranía del Perijá in extreme western Venezuela, though as of 2003 the most recent record of it there was a specimen collected in 1951. This species inhabits all levels of dry to humid deciduous and evergreen forest, as well as second-growth scrub. It prefers forest edges that have thickets and shrubby borders, and also lives in somewhat open areas including cultivated lands, gardens, orchards, and well-vegetated parks. Most of its population occurs between 900 and 2,200 m (3,000 and 7,200 ft) in elevation, though it is found locally as low as 250 m (800 ft) on the Pacific side of Colombia. The 1951 specimen collected in Venezuela was taken at 1,650 m (5,400 ft).
