Black-backed antshrike

The black-backed antshrike (Thamnophilus melanonotus) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.

The black-backed antshrike is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. Members of genus Thamnophilus are largish members of the antbird family; all have stout bills with a hook like those of true shrikes. Adult males have a black to blackish brown head and back with white edges on the scapulars and a hidden white patch between them. Their lower back and rump are light gray. Their wings are black with wide white tips on the coverts and white edges on the flight feathers. Their tail is black with white tips on the feathers and white edges on the outermost pair. Their throat and breast are black and their flanks, belly, and crissum are white. Adult females have a dark brown crown with cinnamon edges to the feathers. Their face is buff. Their upperparts are brown with dark centers to the feathers. Their wings and wing coverts are brownish black with pale buff edges and tips. Their tail is rufous-brown with whitish tips and edges to the feathers. Their underparts are buff that is somewhat whiter on the belly. Subadult males resemble adult females with some black feathers beginning to show.