This Variable antshrike is on guard. It raises its head to scout. It belongs to the large family of antbirds (Thamnophilidae), with over 200 species, which are found in almost all of America, from Mexico to Argentina. This particular species is mostly found in southeastern South America. The bush antshrike varies greatly in its plumage depending on where in the geography it occurs, hence the English name 'Variable antshrike'. (The Latin name means roughly 'blue bush lover'). The Swedish name is related to the Latin, but also suggests that this species is an insectivore with a preference for ants. It has, for example, been seen following swarming army ants. Access to food has been shown to affect both the desire to reproduce and the number of eggs in a clutch. At least in Argentina, the bird is often visited by a nest parasite (which lays its eggs in the nest), namely the Shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis).