Pygmy Antwren

Overview

The pygmy antwren (Myrmotherula brachyura) is a species of bird in the family Thamnophilidae, commonly known as the typical antbirds. It is a small, year-round resident of the Amazon Basin and is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Size: Very small, measuring 7.5 to 8.5 cm in length and weighing 6 to 8 g, with a notably tiny tail.
• Plumage (Male): Black crown, back, rump, and tail with faintly yellow-white streaks; white cheeks with a thin black 'moustache' and a white patch between the shoulders; yellow underparts with sparse black streaks on the sides.
• Plumage (Female): Similar to the male but with a buff tinge on the cheeks and crown stripes, lacking the white shoulder patch and often having a pale buff throat and breast.
• Song: A short, rising, accelerating series of very high, sharp notes that gradually change into a descending rattle or trill.

Habitat

Inhabits the canopy and subcanopy of lowland evergreen forests, including terra firme, várzea, and transitional forests, as well as secondary growth. The species prefers forest edges and gaps created by fallen trees, generally occurring below 600 m elevation, though it can reach up to 900 m in Brazil.

Diet

Feeds primarily on arthropods, particularly insects and spiders, by foraging in the mid-storey to the canopy. It actively seeks prey along thin branches and vines, gleans from foliage and mosses, and occasionally captures prey in mid-air.

Did you know?

The species was previously classified with two subspecies, but one was elevated to a separate species, meaning the pygmy antwren is now considered monotypic while the other form is recognised as a subspecies of the moustached antwren.