Amazonian Streaked Antwren

Overview

The Amazonian streaked antwren (Myrmotherula multostriata) is a small bird in the family Thamnophilidae, known as the typical antbirds. It is a year-round resident found in South America and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 9 to 10 cm in length with a tiny tail, weighing 7.5 to 9 g.
• Males feature a black and white streaked face and a large white patch between the shoulders, while females have a buff face and cinnamon-rufous crown.
• Song is described as a short, musical, slightly rising rattle written as "pur-pur-peé-peé-peé-pur", accompanied by dry trills and contact calls.

Habitat

This species inhabits the understorey and mid-storey of lowland evergreen forest, particularly várzea and igapó, as well as shrubby secondary forest. It is found almost entirely near water, such as thickets and vine tangles along rivers, streams, and oxbow lakes, across parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Diet

It feeds on arthropods, especially insects and possibly spiders, typically foraging singly or in pairs between 1 and 15 m above the ground or water. The bird actively seeks prey among leaves, vine tangles, and along branches, gleaning by reaching, lunging, and making brief sallies from perches.

Did you know?

The nest is a cup or pouch made of plant filaments and green moss with dried leaves on the outside, typically suspended from a fork 0.3 to 3 m above water or a bank. Both parents incubate the two eggs during the day, but it appears only the female performs this task at night.