Planalto slaty antshrike

The planalto slaty antshrike is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long and weighs 16 to 20 g (0.56 to 0.71 oz). Members of genus Thamnophilus are largish members of the antbird family; all have stout bills with a hook like those of true shrikes. This species exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. Adult males have a mixed black and gray forehead and a black crown. Their back is gray with a few black spots and a hidden white patch between their scapulars. Their face is gray. Their wings and wing coverts are brownish black with white spots and edges. Their tail is black with white tips and spots on the feathers. Their throat and belly are white and the latter often has a faint buff tinge. The rest of their underparts are gray. Adult females have a bright rufous crown and cinnamon-rufous upperparts, sometimes with a few black feather tips. Their wings are dark brown with white spots and edges and pale buff edges on the flight feathers. Their tail is dark brown with white tips on the feathers. Their underparts are light cinnamon-buff becoming almost white on the throat and belly.