Unicolored antwren | |
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Male in São Paulo, Brazil | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Thamnophilidae |
Genus: | Myrmotherula |
Species: | M. unicolor |
Binomial name | |
Myrmotherula unicolor (Ménétriés, 1835) | |
The unicolored antwren (Myrmotherula unicolor) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to southeastern Brazil. [2]
The unicolored antwren and the Alagoas antwren (M. snowi) were previously considered conspecific and now form a superspecies. [3] The unicolored antwren is monotypic. [2] The unicolored antwren, the Yungas antwren (M. grisea), the Alagoas antwren (M. snowi), and the plain-winged antwren (M. behni) appear to form a monophyletic group with similar vocalizations and habitat requirements. [4]
The unicolored antwren is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 6.5 to 8 g (0.23 to 0.28 oz). It is a smallish bird with a short tail. Adult males are almost entirely gray, with lighter underparts than upperparts. Their throat feathers have black bases and gray tips. Adult females have olive-brown upperparts with a grayish tinge on the crown and nape and yellowish brown uppertail coverts. Their wings are dark grayish brown with reddish yellow-brown edges on the flight feathers. Their tail is reddish yellow-brown. Their throat is whitish and their underparts mostly olive-buff that is grayer on their sides and flanks. Their crissum is brownish yellow. [3] [5]
The unicolored antwren is a bird of the Atlantic Forest. It is found along coastal southeastern Brazil from northern Rio de Janeiro state south into northern Rio Grande do Sul. It inhabits the understorey to mid-storey of evergreen forest and mature secondary forest. In a few areas it also occurs in restinga woodlands that grow on white-sand soils. It favors dense viny understory in somewhat stunted forest with a canopy up to about 20 m (70 ft) high. In elevation it ranges from sea level to about 500 m (1,600 ft). [3] [5]
The unicolored antwren is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range. [3]
The unicolored antwren's diet is not known in detail but is probably mostly mostly insects and spiders. It forages singly, in pairs, or in family groups, and often as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It feeds mostly between about 0.5 and 5 m (2 and 20 ft) above the ground, though it will feed as high as 15 m (50 ft). It actively, but methodically, seeks prey especially among vine tangles and also from leaves both live and dead, stems, and branches, mostly by reaching and stabbing. It also captures prey by hanging, hover-gleaning, and with short sallies from a perch. [3]
The unicolored antwren's breeding season is not known but active nests have been noted in November. The nest is a cup made from roots, dead leaves, and fungal fibers hung from a branch fork, typically within about 2 m (7 ft) of the ground. The clutch size, incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known. [3]
The unicolored antwren's song is an "irregular series of very high, sharp, drawn-out, well-separated 'Seeep' notes". [5] Its calls include a "sharp 'wheet' ", "paired nasal notes", and "longer, flat, raspy notes". [3]
The IUCN originally in 1994 assessed the unicolored antwren as Vulnerable, then in 2004 as Near Threatened, and since 2023 as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. The main threat is habitat loss. "Virtually all lowland Atlantic forest outside protected areas has been deforested within its historical range for human encroachment, logging and conversion for agricultural purposes." It is considered uncommon across its range. It does occur in several protected areas, most of them in the northern part of its range. "More survey work is needed in order to assess the distribution and population levels of present species in [the southern] portions of its range". [3]
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.
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.
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.
The plain-winged antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Venezuela, and possibly Suriname.
The Rio de Janeiro antwren is a bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
The Yungas antwren or ashy antwren is a bird species in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
The brown-bellied stipplethroat, previously called brown-bellied antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
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.
The white-eyed stipplethroat, previously called white-eyed antwren, is a species of bird in the family Thamnophilidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
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.
The long-winged 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.
Salvadori's antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
The ornate stipplethroat, formerly called the ornate antwren, is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
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.
The Alagoas antwren is a Critically Endangered species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
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.
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.
The band-tailed antwren is a Vulnerable species of insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
The silvery-flanked antwren is an insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
The Rio Madeira stipplethroat is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. In the past it has also been called eastern stipple-throated antwren, Madeira stipple-throated antwren, Rio Madeira antwren, and Madeira antwren.