Sclater's Antwren

Overview

Myrmotherula sclateri, commonly known as Sclater's antwren, is a small bird belonging to the family of typical antbirds. It is found in the upper Amazon Basin across eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil.

Identification

• Males feature a black and white streaked face and neck with yellow cheeks and a prominent black moustache, while the crown has light yellow streaks.
• The upperparts are predominantly black with whitish streaks, and a light yellow patch is visible between the shoulders.
• Females possess more ochraceous streaks on the head and upperparts and lack the inter-scapular patch found in males.
• The song consists of a short, slow series of four to six well-separated 'peuw' notes.

Habitat

This species inhabits the mid-storey to canopy of lowland evergreen forests, including terra firme, várzea, and transitional types, within the upper Amazon Basin. It favours the forest interior over edges and is found at elevations up to approximately 550 m.

Diet

The diet primarily consists of insects and probably spiders, foraged in pairs or as part of mixed-species feeding flocks. Foraging occurs in dense foliage at least 15 m above the ground, where prey is obtained by gleaning leaves, reaching into vine tangles, lunging, and hovering.

Did you know?

Despite appearing to have larger territories than many other antwrens, almost nothing else is known about its breeding biology. However, dependent young have been observed in June, suggesting a breeding season during that month.