Spix's Warbling Antbird

Overview

Spix's warbling antbird (Hypocnemis striata) is a species of bird in the subfamily Thamnophilinae, belonging to the family of typical antbirds. It is endemic to Amazonian Brazil and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Size: 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) long, weighing 10–14 g (0.35–0.49 oz).
• Plumage (Males): Black crown with a white central streak and white supercilium; black and white speckled face; olive-gray upperparts with a white patch between the scapulars; rufous rump; flight feathers rufescent brown with yellowish olive-brown edges; throat very pale gray; breast and sides spotted with black and white; belly center white; flanks and undertail coverts rufous.
• Plumage (Females): Similar pattern to males but with different colours; crown streaked with pale buff; interscapular patch small or absent; nape and back streaked buff, black, and white; wing coverts olive-brown with pale buff tips.
• Song: Male song commences with a long downslurred note followed by an accelerating series of abrupt and downslurred notes, usually numbering 9–10. Female song is initiated with a long note and ends in an abrupt note. Common calls include abrupt 'chit' notes and complex raspy sequences.

Habitat

Spix's warbling antbird is a resident of Amazonian Brazil south of the Amazon River. It inhabits the edges of terra firme and várzea evergreen forests, the transition zone between them, and adjacent mature secondary woodland, favouring the understorey to mid-storey of forest edges and along watercourses. Its elevation range extends up to approximately 800 m (2,600 ft).

Diet

The specific diet and foraging behaviour of Spix's warbling antbird are not known in detail, but it feeds primarily on insects and spiders. Its feeding habits are assumed to be very similar to those of its former parent species, Hypocnemis cantator.

Did you know?

The species was described in 1825 by the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix and was long considered a subspecies of the warbling antbird (Hypocnemis cantator) before being elevated to full species status in 2007 based on vocal and plumage differences. Its estimated population of 100,000 to 500,000 mature individuals is believed to be decreasing, despite the species being tolerant of forest areas that have survived fire.