Species profile
About this species
The Black-cheeked Gnateater is a small, round-bodied bird native to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. It is recognised by its striking black cheek patches, rufous-brown upperparts, & white post-ocular stripe, giving it a distinctive facial appearance. Like other gnateaters, it tends to remain close to the forest floor, foraging amongst leaf litter for insects & small invertebrates.
Dense Atlantic Forest understorey in eastern Brazil, particularly in humid lowland & foothill forests with thick leaf litter & tangled vegetation close to the ground.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Black-cheeked Gnateater with us in Brazil.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after dawn are ideal, when the species is most active & vocal. The dry season between April & September generally offers better visibility as understorey vegetation is less dense.
Patience is essential - position yourself quietly near dense understorey vegetation & wait for the bird to emerge naturally rather than attempting to flush it. Use a wide aperture such as f/2.8 to f/4 to isolate the subject from the cluttered forest floor background & achieve a pleasing bokeh. A fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s is advisable to freeze any sudden movements in the low-light forest environment.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Black-cheeked Gnateater
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.