Pearly Antshrike

The pearly antshrike (Megastictus margaritatus) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. == Taxonomy and systematics == The pearly antshrike was described by the English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1855 and given the binomial name Myrmeciza margaritatus. The genus Megastictus was erected by the American ornithologist Robert Ridgway in 1909. The pearly antshrike is the only member of genus Megastictus and has no subspecies. == Description == The pearly antshrike is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 18 to 21 g (0.63 to 0.74 oz). Adult males have a gray face, crown, and upperparts with white tips on the uppertail coverts. Their wings are black with large round white spots on the coverts and tertials. Their tail is black with white feather tips. Their underparts are gray that is lighter on the chin, throat, and the belly center. Adult females have a yellowish brown face, crown, and upperparts with a blackish tinge on the crown and pale buffish spots on the uppertail coverts. Their wings and tail are yellowish brown and spotted with pale buffish where the male…