Black-capped Antwren

Overview

The black-capped antwren (Herpsilochmus atricapillus) is a species of bird in the subfamily Thamnophilinae, commonly known as the typical antbirds. It is a small, resident species found across parts of South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Identification

• Males possess a distinctive black crown and nape, a long white to pale grey supercilium, and a black eye-streak, while females have a buffish forehead and a black-and-white streaked crown.
• Both sexes have grey upperparts, with males featuring black wings with white-tipped coverts and a white patch on the scapulars, and females showing an olive tinge on the back.
• Measuring 11 to 12 cm in length, the bird has black wings and a tail with prominent white tips and edges.
• The song consists of one to two distinct notes leading into a rapid, rising and falling series of notes, accompanied by a rattle song of short, complex notes.

Habitat

The species inhabits all levels of deciduous, semi-deciduous, evergreen, and gallery forests, with a preference for caatinga woodland and humid evergreen forest in northeastern Brazil. Its range extends from northeast Brazil to southeastern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northern and eastern Paraguay. It occurs from sea level up to 800 m, reaching 1,450 m in the Andes.

Diet

The diet consists of insects and probably spiders, though it is not fully detailed. It forages singly, in pairs, in family groups, or as part of mixed-species flocks, primarily between 7 and 20 m above the ground. Prey is captured by gleaning from foliage and vines or by making short sallies, but it does not follow army ants.

Did you know?

Adults have been observed feeding juveniles in Brazil during January and February, yet nothing else is currently known about the species' breeding biology. It is considered fairly common but has an unknown population size that is believed to be decreasing despite no immediate threats being identified.