Bahia Antwren

Overview

The Bahia antwren, or pileated antwren, is a small, Near Threatened bird endemic to the coastal regions of Bahia, Brazil. It belongs to the subfamily Thamnophilinae within the family of typical antbirds.

Identification

• Males feature a black crown and nape, a long white to pale grey supercilium, and black eye streaks, while females have buffish foreheads and streaked crowns.
• Upperparts are generally grey, with white-edged blackish scapulars and a white patch between them; wings and tails are black with white tips and edges.
• Underparts are white, washed with grey in males and ochraceous in females.
• Song consists of a fast series of high, rising 'toot' notes that accelerate into a rattle, lasting two to three seconds.

Habitat

Inhabits the mid-storey to the canopy of restinga woodlands on sandy soils, ranging in elevation from sea level to 840 m. Its distribution is restricted to coastal Bahia, Brazil, extending from south of Salvador to the area of Transcoso.

Diet

Eats insects and probably spiders, foraging singly, in pairs, in family groups, or as part of mixed-species flocks. It gleans prey from foliage, stems, and vines by reaching or making short lunges from perches, occasionally hovering to grab food.

Did you know?

Despite being listed as common in the few remaining areas it occupies, the species faces potential major negative impacts from planned large-scale developments of beach resorts in southern Bahia.