Pacific antwren

Last updated

Pacific antwren
Myrmotherula pacifica - Pacific Antwren (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
Genus: Myrmotherula
Species:
M. pacifica
Binomial name
Myrmotherula pacifica
Hellmayr, 1911
Myrmotherula pacifica map.svg

The Pacific antwren or Pacific streaked antwren (Myrmotherula pacifica) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The Pacific antwren was first described in 1911 by the Austrian ornithologist Carl Eduard Hellmayr. It was at one time considered to be conspecific with what are now the Guianan streaked antwren (M. surinamensis) and the Amazonian streaked antwren (M. multostriata) as the "streaked antwren". Differences in their plumage and voice indicate that they are separate species. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] The Pacific antwren is monotypic: No subspecies are recognized. [2]

Pacific antwren from the back Pacific Antwren.jpg
Pacific antwren from the back

Description

The Pacific antwren is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 8.5 to 10 g (0.30 to 0.35 oz). It is a smallish bird with a tiny tail. Adult males have a black and white streaked face. Their crown, back, and rump are black with white streaks. They have a narrow white patch between the shoulders. Their tail is black with white edges and tips to the feathers. Their wings are black with white tips on the coverts and white edges on the flight feathers. Their throat, breast, and belly are white and their flanks and crissum grayer. Black streaks extend from the throat to the flanks and belly. Adult females have a buff to cinnamon-rufous face, crown, nape, and shoulders with black streaks on the crown and nape. They lack the white patch between the shoulders. Their throat and the center of their belly are pale buff and the rest of their underparts orange-ochre; their underparts have no streaks. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Distribution and habitat

The Pacific antwren is found on both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes of Panama into Colombia, though only from Panamá Province on the latter. It is found across central Colombia east to the Magdalena Valley and Cundinamarca Department, and south on the Pacific slope into western Ecuador as far as Azuay Province. It inhabits the understorey and mid-storey of lowland and foothill evergreen forest and shrubby secondary forest. It typically occurs in shrubby areas, often along watercourses. It seldom occurs in the forest interior except in regrowing clearings. It also sometimes occurs outside the forest in gardens and plantations. In elevation it mostly ranges from sea level to about 800 m (2,600 ft) but reaches only 500 m (1,600 ft) in Panama and is locally found up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in Colombia. [7] [5] [6] [8] [9] [10]

Behavior

Movement

The Pacific antwren is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range. [7]

Feeding

The Pacific antwren feeds on arthropods, especially insects and spiders. It typically forages singly or in pairs and briefly, but seldom, joins mixed-species feeding flocks. It mostly feeds in dense foliage between about 2 and 10 m (7 and 30 ft) above the ground, though sometimes as high as 17 m (55 ft). It actively seeks prey among leaves and vine tangles and along branches, gleaning by reaching, lunging, and with brief sallies from a perch. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Breeding

The Pacific antwren breeds between January and July in Panama. An active nest was observed in Colombia in March. The species' nest is a cup woven of small vines and other plant filaments or fine grasses, sometimes with dry leaves or moss on the outside. It is suspended in a branch fork, usually near the end, and hidden in foliage between 2 and 6 m (7 and 20 ft) above the ground. The clutch size is two eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known. [7]

Vocalization

The Pacific antwren's song is "a fast, spritely chipper that rises slightly in pitch, e.g., 'chee-chee-chi-chich-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch' ". Its calls include "chee-pu", "chee-cher", and "a strident, evenly pitched 'chrreee-chrreee-chrreee-chrreee!' ". [8]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the Pacific antwren as being of Least Concern. It has a large range and an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals; the latter is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified. [1] It is considered fairly common across its range and occurs in several protected areas. It "[o]ccupies a variety of shrubby forest-edge and second-growth habitats, making it less sensitive than most antbirds to human disturbance". [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-flanked antwren</span> Species of bird

The white-flanked antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found from Honduras to Panama in Central America, in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and on Trinidad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Checker-throated stipplethroat</span> Species of bird

The checker-throated stipplethroat, previously called fulvous-bellied antwren or checker-throated antwren, is a small passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found from Honduras to Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaty antwren</span> Species of bird

The slaty antwren is a small passerine bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found from Mexico south through Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-hooded antwren</span> Species of bird

The black-hooded antwren is an Endangered Species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated antwren</span> Species of bird

The yellow-throated antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.

<i>Myrmotherula</i> Genus of birds

Myrmotherula is a genus of insectivorous passerine birds in the antbird family, Thamnophilidae. These are all small antbirds, measuring 9–11.5 cm (3.5–4.5 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaden antwren</span> Species of bird

The leaden antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pygmy antwren</span> Species of bird

The pygmy antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherrie's antwren</span> Species of bird

Cherrie's antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-tailed stipplethroat</span> Species of bird

The rufous-tailed stipplethroat, formerly called the rufous-tailed antwren, is a species of insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star-throated antwren</span> Species of bird

The star-throated antwren is an insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to southeastern Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-backed stipplethroat</span> Species of bird

The rufous-backed stipplethroat is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. In its complex taxonomic history, Epinecrophylla haematonota has also been called the rufous-backed antwren, stipple-throated antwren, Napo stipple-throated antwren, and western stipple-throated antwren.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moustached antwren</span> Species of bird found in South America

The moustached antwren is a species of small Neotropical bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stripe-chested antwren</span> Species of bird

The stripe-chested antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvadori's antwren</span> Species of bird

Salvadori's antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazonian streaked antwren</span> Species of bird

The Amazonian streaked antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sclater's antwren</span> Species of bird

Sclater's antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foothill stipplethroat</span> Species of bird

The foothill stipplethroat, previously called the foothill antwren, is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Suno antwren</span> Species of bird

The Rio Suno antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guianan streaked antwren</span> Species of bird

The Guianan streaked antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2021). "Pacific Antwren Myrmotherula pacifica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T22729067A140548546. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22729067A140548546.en . Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Antbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  3. Isler, M.L., Isler, P.R. and Whitney, B.M. (1999). Species limits in antbirds (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae): the Myrmotherula surinamensis complex. Auk 116(1): 83–96.
  4. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 26 November 2023. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved November 27, 2023
  5. 1 2 Check-list of North American Birds (7th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Ornithologists' Union. 1998. p. 364.
  6. 1 2 Richard C. Banks, Carla Cicero, Jon L. Dunn, Andrew W. Kratter, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., James D. Rising, and Douglas F. Stotz. "Forty-second supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Check-list of North American Birds". The Auk 2000, vol. 117:847-858 retrieved February 7, 2024
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Pacific Antwren (Myrmotherula pacifica), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pacant.01 retrieved February 7, 2024
  8. 1 2 3 4 Ridgely, Robert S.; Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 404. ISBN   978-0-8014-8721-7.
  9. 1 2 3 McMullan, Miles; Donegan, Thomas M.; Quevedo, Alonso (2010). Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Bogotá: Fundación ProAves. p. 133. ISBN   978-0-9827615-0-2.
  10. 1 2 3 vanPerlo, Ber (2006). Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton Illustrated Checklists. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. plate 60, map 60.13. ISBN   0691120706.

Further reading