Habits
In pairs or small family groups. Often in the company of mixed-species flocks.
Food
Primarily insects and probably other arthropods. Also, melastome berries.
Voice
A scolding, paper-tearing noise. A harsh 'zurzurzurzurzur'. Grunts 'chak' grunts. A 'chek' or 'chuk' uttered in contact. Song is mellow, whistled with 6-11 phrases, often ending with a single 'chonk', uttered at dawn.
Black-cheeked Ant Tanager (Habia atrimaxillaris) [XC650342]
by Scott Olmstead from La Tarde, Puerto Jim\u00e9nez de Golfito, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica (dawn song, song, mating season song)
Black-cheeked Ant Tanager (Habia atrimaxillaris) [XC374455]
by Du\u0161an M. Brinkhuizen from Dos Brazos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica (call, duet, song)
Subspecies
Molecular-genetic evidence indicates that this genus may form a monophyletic group with Piranga and Chlorothraupis, and that all three are more closely related to cardinals (Cardinalidae) than to true tanagers.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Female Rosy Thrush-Tanager (Rhodinocichla rosea) which is more extensively reddish below and has a bicoloured eyebrow.
References
See References.