Justin Blachman

The Black-Cheecked Ant Tanager seems to forage close to the ground, below 30 feet. (in the understory)

Occupies dense lowland forest, advanced secondary growth, streamside woodland, and sporadically in selectively logged forests. 

Its dies consists of mostly insects, other arthropods, and also many berries including the melastome berry.

The Black-Cheecked Ant Tanager makes a scolding noise, similar to the sound of tearing paper.  They make harsh zurzurzur and Chak grunts that are supposably how they communicate to each other.  They also make a whistle sound that lasts around 6-11 calls, normally ending with one chonk.

 Black-Cheecked Ant Tanagers normally are seen in small groups, but occasionally, they are spotted foraging with other species.  Willis (1972) listed 12 species that the Black-Cheecked Ant Tanager socialized with.

Interestingly, there are three adults helping feed the young at the nest, and one is presumed to be a nonbreeding helper.  They adults left together, so presumably they hunted together.

• The eggs are pure white, and each nest is thought to have to little eggs inside of them.