Formicariidae (antbirds, antpittas, antshrikes; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small to medium-sized, black, grey, or brown birds, sometimes streaked or barred, that have short, rounded wings, and short to long tails; their legs are short (arboreal) to long (terrestrial), and their bill is strong and slightly to very hooked. Antshrikes (18 species of Thamnophilus) superficially resemble shrikes, and have stout, hooked bills. They inhabit forest and scrub, where they are arboreal or terrestrial, building nests in tree holes, hanging from branches, or on the ground. They are insectivorous, often feeding on and associating with ants. There are 53 genera, with about 229 species, found in Central and S. America.

antpittas See FORMICARIIDAE.