Reddish-winged Bare-eye

Overview

The reddish-winged bare-eye (Phlegopsis erythroptera) is an insectivorous passerine bird classified within the typical antbirds of the family Thamnophilidae. Native to the Amazon rainforest, the species is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, despite its population being believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Both sexes feature a prominent ring of bare red skin around the eye.
• Adults measure 17 to 18.5 cm in length and weigh between 50 and 58 g.
• Males are largely black with rufous markings on the wings, while females display very dark reddish-brown upperparts and rufous underparts.
• The song consists of a series of 4–7 descending, well-separated, shrill notes, often described as "rrr RHEEEW-rheeew rheeew rhew rhhw".

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits the understorey of humid terra firme evergreen forests, though it also occupies stunted woodlands on white sand soils along the upper Rio Negro. Its range spans from southeastern Colombia and southwestern Venezuela through eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and into northwestern and southwestern Brazil, as well as extreme northwestern Bolivia. It typically occurs at elevations below 550 m, reaching up to 750 m in Ecuador and 600 m in Colombia.

Diet

As an obligate ant follower, the reddish-winged bare-eye feeds on arthropods that flee foraging army ant swarms, particularly those of Eciton burchelli. It typically forages individually, in pairs, or in family groups, perching near the ground to sally or pounce at prey, and occasionally flips leaves or makes short aerial sallies to capture food.

Did you know?

The species is highly dominant over most other ant followers but exhibits unusual social dynamics during foraging, where members of a single pair may follow different ant swarms. It is also considered highly sensitive to human disturbance despite its large range.