Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)

Esmeraldas Antbird (Myrmeciza nigricauda) - HBW 8, p. 660

French: Alapi des Esmeraldas German: Schiefergrauer Ameisenvogel Spanish: Hormiguero de Esmeraldas

Taxonomy: Myrmeciza nigricauda Salvin and Godman, 1892, Intag, Imbabura, Ecuador.
Genus appears not to represent a monophyletic grouping, but traditional arrangement maintained pending further phylogenetic study. Forms a superspecies with M. laemosticta, and female formerly treated as a race of that species; also close to C. berlepschi. Male was formerly placed with latter species in separate genus, and known as Sipia rosenbergi; sexes only relatively recently recognized as belonging to same species. Monotypic.

Distribution: Pacific slope in W Colombia (S from C Chocó) and W Ecuador (S to El Oro).