Dusky-tailed antbird

Drymophila malura

Photo by Dario Sanches (Wikipedia)

Common name:

dusky-tailed antbird (en); choquinha-carijó (pt); grisin malure (fr); tiluchí estriado oriental (es); olivrücken-ameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Thamnophilidae

Range:

This species is found in south-eastern Brazil, from Minas Gerais south to northern Rio Grande do Sul, and into eastern Paraguay and extreme north-eastern Argentina.

Size:

These birds are 13,5-14,5 cm long and weigh 11-13 g.

Habitat:

The dusky-tailed antbird is found on the understorey of moist tropical forests, mainly in lowland areas, but also in mountainous areas up to an altitude of 1.900 m.

Diet:

They feed on insects and possibly also spiders.

Breeding:

There is no available information regarding the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common but patchily distributed. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Silvered antbird

Sclateria naevia

Photo by Lou Hegedus (Mango Verde)

Common name:
silvered antbird (en); papa-formigas-do-igarapé (pt); alapi paludicole (fr); hormiguero plateado (es); mangroveameisenvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found in northern South America, east of the Andes, from central Colombia east to Suriname and south to Bolivia, and to Mato Grosso and Maranhão, in Brazil.

Size:
These birds are 14-16 cm long and weigh 20-27 g.

Habitat:
The silvered antbird is mostly found in the understorey and floor of swamp forests and flooded rainforests, also using mangroves, moist scrublands and the margins of fresh water lakes. they are present from sea level up to an altitude of 700 m.

Diet:
They usually forage in pairs, taking insects such as bugs, beetles and leafhoppers, and spiders, from the leaf litter, from the ground, or from the water surface.

Breeding:
Silvered antbirds possibly breed in August-December. The nest is a deep cup made of thick rootlets and green moss, and lined with finer rootlets. It is woven to a fork in a small tree, about 0,8 m above a small stream. There the female lays 2 dull white, bluish-white or buffy grey with reddish-brown spots and blotches. There is no available information regarding the length of the incubation and fledging periods, but both parents feed the chicks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The silvered antbird is suspected to lose 12-14% of suitable habitat within its range over the next 15 years based on a model of Amazonian deforestation. Given the susceptibility of the species to fragmentation and edge effects, it is suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Collared antshrike

Sakesphorus bernardi

Photo by Rainer Seifert (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
collared antshrike (en); choca-de-coleira (pt); batara de Bernard (fr); batará collarejo (es); fleckengesicht-ameisenwürger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found in western Ecuador and north-western Peru, from Manabí south to Ancash, and also in the river Marañon basin, in Cajamarca and Amazonas, northern Peru.


Size:
These birds are 15-18 cm long and weigh 29-38 g.


Habitat:
The collared antshrike is mostly found in dry, tropical deciduous forests, also using desert scrublands, moist scrublands, moist tropical forests and mangroves.

Diet:
They feed mainly on insects, including bugs, grasshoppers and crickets, beetles and caterpillars, as well as spiders and possibly also small vertebrates. Since, collared antshrikes are sometimes mobbed by smaller birds, such as hummingbirds, seedeaters and grassquits, there as been some speculation that they may also predate the nests of smaller bird species.

Breeding:
Collared antshrikes breed in February-May. They are socially monogamous and the nest is a deep cup made of dead grasses and plant stems, with no lining and with a loose weave. It is suspended from bifurcating twigs, about 0,5-2 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-3 creamy white eggs with chocolate brown markings, which are mainly incubated by the female for 14-17 days. The chicks fledge 11-12 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Black antbird

Cercomacra serva

Photo by Anselmo d'Affonseca (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
black antbird (en); chororó-preto (pt); grisin noir (fr); hormiguero negro (es); südlicher trauerameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Colombia and eastern Ecuador, through eastern Peru and into north-western Bolivia and extreme western Brazil.

Size:
These birds are 13,5-14,5 cm long and weigh 15-17 g.

Habitat:
The black antbird is mostly found in the understorey of moist tropical forests and swamp forests, also using the vegetation surrounding freshwater lakes. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.350 m.

Diet:
They often follow ant swarms, taking various insects and spiders that try to escape the ants.

Breeding:
Black antbirds breed nest in a pensile hanging cup made of dark fibres, dry leaves, sticks and fresh moss. The female lays 2 eggs which are incubated by both sexes for about 14 days. The chicks are mostly fed by the female and fledge 12-14 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as uncommon. Based on a model of Amazonian deforestation the black antbird is suspected to lose 9,5-10% of suitable habitat within its range over the next 2 decades. Given the susceptibility of the species to fragmentation and edge effects, it is therefore suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Streak-capped antwren

Terenura maculata

Photo by Luíz Ribenboim (ICMBio)

Common name:
streak-capped antwren (en); zidedê (pt); grisin à tête rayée (fr); tiluchí enano (es); rostrücken-ameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This is found in south-eastern Brazil, from Bahia south to Parana and Santa Catarina, and marginally into south-eastern Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 9-10 cm long and weigh about 7 g.

Habitat:
The streak-capped antwren is found in the canopy and mid-storey of rainforests and second growths, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.250 m.

Diet:
They feed on small insects and spiders.

Breeding:
They nest in a small pending cup-nest, but nothing else is known about their reproduction.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Giant antshrike

Batara cinerea

Photo by Bruno Rennó (Flickr)

Common name:
giant antshrike (en); matracão (pt); batara géant (fr); batará gigante (es); riesen-ameisenwürger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species has 3 subspecies with disjunct distributions. B.c. cinerea is found in south-eastern Brazil, from Espírito Santo to Rio Grande do Sul, and marginally across the border into Argentina. B. c. argentina is found in eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina. B.c. excubitor is found along the eastern slopes of the Andes, from central Bolivia to northern Argentina.

Size:
The largest of all antshrikes, these birds are 27-35 cm long and weigh 100-155 g.

Habitat:
The giant antshrike is mostly found in the understorey and mid-storey of moist tropical forests, both in lowland and mountainous areas, but also use moist savannas, dry scrublands, and rivers and streams. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.600 m.

Diet:
They feed on large insects, such as beetles, and spiders, as well as snails and slugs, and small vertebrate such as frogs, small rodents, small lizards and snakes, and young birds.

Breeding:
Giant antshrikes are monogamous and mate for life. They breed in October-December and nest in a large cup placed in a fork in a small tree or scrub, 1-3 m above the ground. The female lays 2 eggs, which she incubates alone, but the chicks are fed by both parents. there is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range but is described as uncommon. This population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and there are several seemingly healthy populations in several large parks and reserves in Brazil, among them Itatiaia, Serra dos Órgãos, Aparados da Serra and Iguaçu.

Caatinga antwren

Herpsilochmus sellowi

Photo by Stephen Jones (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
caatinga antwren (en); chorozinho-da-caatinga (pt); grisin de Sellow (fr); tiluchí de caatinga (es); caatingaameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species in endemic to Brazil, being found in the interior north-eastern part of the country from Maranhão and Ceará to Minas Gerais.

Size:
These birds are 12 cm long and weigh 7-8 g.

Habitat:
They are found in caatinga scrublands and along the edges of dry savannas and dry tropical forests, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:
The caatinga antwren is insectivorous and forages in low scrub vegetation.

Breeding:
These birds nest in a small, unlined cup made of fungal hyphae, grass blades, leaves and spider webs. The nest is placed in a fork in a small tree, about 4 m above the ground. The female lays 2 light beige eggs with brown spots, which are incubated by both parents. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon to fairly common. Although there are no data on population trends, the caating antwren is suspected to be declining, owing to habitat destruction and degradation through agricultural expansion, grazing, burning and road construction. However, the species is reportedly able to use secondary habitats, suggesting that it is tolerant to some habitat degradation.

White-plumed antbird

Pithys albifrons

Photo by Vincent Rufray (GEPOG)

Common name:
white-plumed antbird (en); papa-formiga-de-topete (pt); fourmilier manikup (fr); hormiguero cuerniblanco (es); weißgesicht-ameisenvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Venezuela, Colombia and the Guyanas, south to northern Brazil, north of the Amazon river, and along the eastern slopes of the Andes down to southern Peru.

Size:
These birds are 11-14 cm long and weigh 18-20 g.

Habitat:
The white-plumed antbird is found in tropical rainforests, mainly using the understorey of terra firme forests. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.350 m.

Diet:
They follow ant swarms, taking insects and sometimes even small lizards that are flushed by the ants.

Breeding:
White-plumed antbirds nest on a cup made of dead leaves, placed on a small tree in the forest understorey up to 1 m above the ground. The female lays 2 pinkish-white eggs with brown spots, which are incubated by both parents for about 15 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 12 days after hatching.

Conservation:IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The white-plumed antbird is suspected to lose 10-11% of suitable habitat within its range over the next 2 decades based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, being therefore suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Restinga antwren

Formicivora littoralis

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
restinga antwren (en); formigueiro-do-litoral (pt); grisin de la restinga (fr); hotmiguerito litoral (es); restingaameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Rio de Janeiro state, in south-eastern Brazil, being restricted to the area around Cabo Frio including adjacent offshore islands.

Size:
These birds are 12,5-14 cm long and weigh 15 g.

Habitat:
The restinga antwren is mostly found in what is known as restinga, a beach-scrub habitat, rich in cacti and bromeliads, growing on sand-dunes. They also use other scrublands in coastal hillsides.

Diet:
They feed on various insects, such as butterflies, caterpillars, grasshoppers and beetles, as well as fruits.

Breeding:
Restinga antwrens can breed all year round. The nest is an open cup made of fine plant fibres, placed in an horizontal branch of a scrub of small tree, up to 3 m above the ground. The female lays 1-3 white eggs with brown spots, which are incubated by both parents. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods, but both parents participate in rearing the chicks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a small breeding range and a global population estimated at 1.000-2.500 individuals. The population is suspected to be declining rapidly owing to the considerable threats from beach front development, the salt industry and squatters within its restricted coastal habitat. Conservation actions underway include the designation if three protected areas and awareness campaigns directed at local teachers and school children.

Black-capped antwren

Herpsilochmus atricapillus

Photo by Jefferson Silva (Passarinhando no Brasil!!!)

Common name:
black-capped antwren (en); chorozinho-de-chapéu-preto (pt); grisin mitré (fr); tiluchí plomizo (es); schwarzscheitel-ameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found in eastern and southern Brazil, from Maranhão and Ceará south to São Paulo and west to Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, and also in Paraguay, southern Bolivia and marginally into northern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 12 cm long and weigh 9 g.

Habitat:
The black-capped antwren is mostly found in moist tropical forests, but also uses dry tropical forests. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.450 m.

Diet:
They feed on various insects and other arthropods, which they take from the foliage.

Breeding:
Black-capped antwren are monogamous. The female lays which are incubated by both parents. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods, but the chicks are raised by both parents and remain with them for some time after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. This population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Dot-winged antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

Photo by Scott Olmstead (Flickr)

Common name:
dot-winged antwren (en); papa-formiga-de-bando (pt); grisin étoilé (fr); hormiguerito alipunteado (es); tropfenflügel-ameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found is found from southern Mexico to Colombia, then along the Andean region down to Peru and along the Amazon basin into northern Brazil as far as Mato Grosso, Pará and Amapá, and into the Guyanas.

Size:
These birds are 11-12 cm long and weigh 7,5-11,5 g.

Habitat:
The dot-winged antwren is mostly found in the lower strata of tropical rainforests and swamp forests, also using forest edges and adjacent second growth areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.1.00 m.

Diet:
They feed on insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, cockroaches, beetles, ants and caterpillars, as well as spiders. They only rarely follow army ant swarms to capture fleeing insects.

Breeding:
Dot-winged antwrens breed in January-August. The nest is a deep pouch made of decayed leaves and held together with fine dark fibres. It is lined with fine fibres and attached by the rim to a slender twig among dense foliage, usually 1-12 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 white eggs with brown spots. The eggs are incubated by both sexes but there is no information regarding the length of the incubation period. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 9 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 0,5-5 million individuals. The dot-winged antwren is suspected to loose roughly 15% of its habitats over the next 15 years, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, which indicated it will likely face a moderate decline in the near future.

Fringe-backed fire-eye

Pyriglena atra

Photo by Sidnei dos Santos (Biodiversitas)

Common name:
fringe-backed fire-eye (en); papa-taoca-da-Bahia (pt); alapi noir (fr); ojodefuego de Bahía (es); fleckenmantel-feuerauge (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family  Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is only found in a narrow coastal area in the Brazilian state of Bahia, between Salvador and Aracaju.

Size:
These birds are 17-18 cm long and weigh 35 g.

Habitat:
The fringe-backed fire-eye is mostly found in dense undergrowth of lowland tropical moist forests, also using second growths and other semi-open areas. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 250 m.

Diet:
They follow army ant swarms, especially Eciton burchellii, hunting the animals flushed by the ants including spiders, grasshoppers, cockroaches, beetles, crickets and moths.

Breeding:
The fringe-backed fire-eye nests on an open cup made of twigs, plant fibres and dry leaves, placed on the ground. The female lays 2 eggs, which are incubated for 18-20 days. The chicks fledge about 13 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a relatively small breeding range and a global population estimated at just 600-1.700 individuals. The population is declining rapidly due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation.

Rufous-throated antbird

Gymnopithys rufigula

Photo by Thierry Nogaro (Oiseaux)

Common name:
rufous-throated antbird (en); mãe-de-taoca-de-garganta-vermelha (pt); fourmilier à gorge rousse (fr); hormiguero gorgirrufo (es); rostkehl-ameisenvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found in northern South America, in southern and south-eastern Venezuela, marginally into eastern Colombia, and in the Guyanas and northern Brazil, north of the Amazon river.

Size:
These birds are 15 cm long and weigh 25-30 g.

Habitat:
The rufous-throated antbirds is found in the understory of lowland tropical rainforests, from sea level up to an altitude of 600 m.

Diet:
They often follow army ant swarms, hunting insects, spiders and other small invertebrates flushed by the ants.

Breeding:
Rufous-throated antbirds nest in a cup made of dead leaves and other plant materials, placed near the ground on a tree cavity or dead stump. There the female lays 2 eggs which are incubated by both parents. The is no information regarding the length of the incubation period. The chicks are raised by both parents and fledge around 13 days after hatching. They will continue to be brooded by the parents for 1 week after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The rufous-throated antbird is suspected to loose 10% of their habitat in the next 15 years, based on current models of Amazonian deforestation, but is not currently threatened.

Slaty antwren

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
slaty antwren (en); choquinha-ardósia (pt); myrmidon ardoisé (fr); hormiguerito pizarroso (es); Hochland-ameisenschlüpfer (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from Guatemala to northern Venezuela and Colombia, along the western slopes of the Andes down to southern Ecuador and along the eastern slopes of the Andes down to southern Peru.

Size:
These birds are 10 cm long and weigh 9,5-10 g.

Habitat:
The slaty antwren is found in tropical moist forests, especially in mountainous areas, but also in lower areas, ranging in altitude between 900-2.400 m.

Diet:
They eat small insects and spiders, collected among the foliage and in moss covered branches.

Breeding:
Slaty antwrens breed in March-July. The nest is a deep cup made of black rhizomorphs, placed in an horizontal fork in a sapling, 1-2 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 white or cream-coloured eggs with brown, purple or reddish spots. The eggs are incubated by both sexes for 15-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 10-11 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 50.000-500.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction in various parts of their range, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Chestnut-backed antbird

Myrmeciza exsul

Photo by Ned Haight (Neotropical Birds)

Common name:
chestnut-backed antbird (en); formigueiro-de-corso-castanho (pt); alapi à dos roux (fr); hormiguero dorsicastaño (es); braunrücken-ameisenvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from Guatemala south to western Colombia and Ecuador.

Size:
These birds are 14 cm long and weigh 24-32 g.

Habitat:
The chestnut-backed antbird is mostly found on the understorey of mature evergreen rainforests, but can also occur in second growths, abandoned plantations and drier forests. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.

Diet:
They feed on a variety of invertebrates, including beetles such as Cerambycidae, Curculionidae, Carabidae, Chrysomelidae, cockroaches and their eggs, grasshoppers, crickets, earwigs, bugs, caterpillars, spiders, centipedes and mantids. They occasionally also take small frogs and lizards, phasmids and a few seeds. Sometimes they follow army ant swarms to hunt.

Breeding:
Chestnut-backed antbirds are monogamous. The nest is an untidy open cup made of dead leaves, rootlets, dead ferns and moss, and lined with rhizomorphs. There the female lays 1-2 whitish eggs with brown or purplish blotches, which are incubated by both parents for about 16 days. The are fed by both parents and fledge 11 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, but it is not considered threatened at present.

White-flanked antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Photo by Hugo Viana (Flickr)

Common name:
white-flanked antwren (en); choquinha-de-flancos-brancos (pt); myrmidon à flancs blancs (fr); hormiguerito flanquialbo (es); weißflanken-ameisenschlüpfer

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from Honduras down to Bolivia and northern Brazil. There are also isolated populations along the coast of eastern and south-eastern Brazil.

Size:
These birds are 9-10,5 cm long and weigh 8-9 g.

Habitat:
The white-flanked antwren is mostly found in the understory and mid-canopy of moist tropical forests and swamp forests, and also along rivers and streams and to a lesser extent in second growth areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.

Diet:
They forage among the foliage, taking small insects and spiders.

Breeding:
White-flanked antwrens breed in a deep cup made of dry leaves, plant fibres and dark fungal rhizomorphs, placed on a tree or scrub up to 4 m above the ground. The female lays 2 white eggs with purple spots, which are incubated by both sexes for 16-19 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 10-11 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is expected to decline moderately based on a model of Amazonian deforestation.

Western slaty-antshrike

Thamnophilus atrinucha

Photo by Tobias Gerlach (Deep Green Photo)

Common name:
western slaty-antshrike (en); choca-de-nuca-negra (pt); batara à nuque noire (fr); batará pizarroso occidental (es); westlicher tropfenameisenwürger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found from Guatemala to north-western Venezuela, western Colombia and western Ecuador.

Size:
These birds are 14-15 cm long and weigh 22-24 g.

Habitat:
The western slaty-antshrike is found in primary and secondary tropical moist and evergreen forests as well as forest edges. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They forage on the understory, often joining antwren flocks, and sometimes follow army ant swarms when these enter their territory. They mainly feed on arthropods, such as scorpions, spiders, millipedes, roaches, stick insects, mantids, crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, cicadas, bugs and moths. They are also known to prey on Anolis lizards.

Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round, but especially in December-September. They are socially monogamous and the nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a thin cup made of plant fibres, rhizomorphs, rootlets, spider webs and moss. It is tied to two or three small twigs of a horizontal fork, up to 7 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-2 white eggs with reddish-brown spots, which are incubated by both sexes for about 16 days. The chicks fledge 10 days after hatching. Each pair can raise 1-2 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
The western slaty-antshrike has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common to common throughout much of this range. This species is able to thrive in some edge and secondary habitats, thus the population is suspected to be at least stable.

Plain antvireo

Dysithamnus mentalis

Photo by Carmelo López (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
plain antvireo (en); choquinha-lisa (pt); batara gorgeret (fr); batarito cabecigrís (es); olivgrauer würgerling (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is found in Central and South America, from southern Mexico and Guatemala to Venezuela and western Colombia, through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and into central, eastern and south-eastern Brazil. The plain antvireo is also found in Paraguay and extreme northern Argentina, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago.

Size:
These birds are 11-12 cm long and weigh 12,5-15 g.

Habitat:
The plain antvireo is found in both rainforests and dry savannas, and to a lesser extent in swamp forests, at altitudes of 600-2.500 m.

Diet:
They forage on the lower branches of the trees taking insects and other arthropods, namely bees, moths, ants, katydids and spiders.

Breeding:
Plain antvireos breed in February-July. The nest is a deep cup made of made of small twigs and plant fibres, placed in an horizontal fork in a sapling up to 2 m above the ground. The female lays 2 white eggs with purple-brown spots, which are incubated for about 15 days. The chicks fledge 9 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 500.000-5.000.000 individuals. This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, but it appears to tolerate some degree of habitat disturbance and human activity.

Dusky-throated antshrike

Thamnomanes ardesiacus

Photo by Marc Chrétien (GEPOG)

Common name:
dusky-throated antshrike (en); uirapuru-de-garganta-preta (pt); batara ardoisé (fr); batará gorgioscuro (es); nördlicher schwarzkehlwürgerling (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This South American species is found in northern Brazil and the Guyanas, in southern Venezuela, southern Colombia and through Ecuador and Peru down to northern Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 13-14 cm long and weigh 13-23 g.

Habitat:
The dusky-throated antshrike is found in the understorey of tropical rainforests and swamp forests, mainly in areas of terra firme.

Diet:
They are insectivorous, searching for their prey on the foliage or by sallying out from a perch. They are also known to join mixed-species flocks and follow ant swarms and will occasionally eat larger prey such as lizards.

Breeding:
Dusky-throated antshrikes nest in a cup made of fungal filaments lined with dry leaves, placed in a fork in a tree, up to 10 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 eggs which are incubated for 11-12 days. There is no information regarding the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Bananal antbird

Cercomacra ferdinandi

Photo by Ciro Albano (NE Brazil Birding)

Common name:
bananal antbird (en); chororó-de-Goiás (pt); grisin de bananal (fr); hormiguero de bananal (es); bananalameisenfänger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Thamnophilidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the wetlands of the central Araguaia and Tocantins rivers in central Brazil, between Goiás and Maranhão.

Size:
These birds are 15-18 cm long and weigh 13-18,5 g.

Habitat:
The bananal antbird is found in riparian thickets and igapó flooded rainforests, always near water.

Diet:
They hunt for insects and other invertebrates in forest understorey, usually individually, in pairs or in small family groups.

Breeding:
Bananal antbirds breed in May-July. The nest is a small cup made of plant fibres and twigs, placed hanging from a fork in a tree or vine up to 3 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 pink eggs with reddish-brown markings, which are incubated by both parents for 12-14 days. The chicks fledge 9-11 days after hatching. 

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a restricted breeding range and a global population estimated at 10.000-20.000 individuals. This population is suspected to be facing a rapid and on-going decline, mainly due to habitat loss caused by the construction of large hydroelectric plants along the entire Tocantins river and most of the Araguaia river.