African birds as army ant followers

Ant-following birds have been studied extensively in the Neotropics, but much less information is currently available for the Afrotropics. There are published records of 168 African bird species from 37 families foraging in association with driver ants (Dorylus, sub-family Dorylinae). However, of 52 bird species assessed as regular ant-followers, 38 belong to three families, which are disproportionately represented compared to other large Afrotropical bird families: Muscicapidae (18 spp.), Pycnonotidae (13 spp.) and Turdidae (7 spp.). The extent to which these birds are dependent on ants through their annual cycle is not known. African driver ants forage primarily under shaded, humid conditions by day, and may spend a month or longer underground. Conservation assessments of African forest habitats suggest that both driver ants and ant-following birds may be especially sensitive to the loss of forest cover.

Automated summary

Ant-following birds in the Afrotropics are not as well-studied as in the Neotropics. However, there are 168 African bird species from 37 families that have been observed foraging with driver ants. Among the 52 bird species identified as regular ant-followers, Muscicapidae, Pycnonotidae, and Turdidae are disproportionately represented. The dependence of these birds on ants throughout their annual cycle is still unknown, but conservation assessments suggest that both driver ants and ant-following birds are sensitive to forest cover loss in African forest habitats.