Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)

Jet Antbird (Cercomacra nigricans) - HBW 8, p. 635

French: Grisin de jais German: Nördlicher Trauerameisenfänger Spanish: Hormiguero Azabache

Taxonomy: Cercomacra nigricans P. L. Sclater, 1858, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.
This and C. carbonaria, C. melanaria and C. ferdinandi appear to form a species group on basis of plumage, vocalizations and ecology, with C. manu probably sister to the group. Birds from NW Colombia sometimes separated as race atrata, but considered indistinguishable from other populations. Monotypic.

Distribution: C & E Panama (from Veraguas on Pacific slope and Colón on Caribbean E to Darién, also Pearl Is), W & N Colombia (Pacific slope in Chocó and Valle, Caribbean slope E to Magdalena, upper Cauca Valley, Magdalena Valley, and base of E Andes S to Meta), W, N & E Venezuela (S Táchira and W Apure, coastal zone from Aragua E to Delta Amacuro, and along R Orinoco) and W Ecuador.