Yellow-throated Antwren
Myrmotherula ambigua
Tiny antwren, heavily streaked with black and white above, solid yellow below. Females have a tawny-colored head. Note the two white wingbars. Inhabits the canopy and subcanopy of humid forest, including white sand forest; almost always associated with mixed-species flocks. The song is a monotonous repetition of “pew-pew” notes. The similar male of Pygmy Antwren has a white throat, while females are inseparable.
Identification
The yellow-throated antwren is 8 to 8.5 cm (3.1 to 3.3 in) long and weighs 7 to 8 g (0.25 to 0.28 oz). It is a smallish bird with a short tail. Adult males have a black and white streaked face and neck with whitish cheeks. Their crown and back are black with white streaks; their rump is grayish. They have a light yellow patch between the shoulders. Their tail is black with white edges and tips to the feathers. Their wings are black with wide white edges on the coverts and narrower white edges on the flight feathers. Their underparts are light yellow with some black streaks on the side. Adult females have tawny-buff to buff streaks (not white) on the face, head, and upperparts. They do not have the male's patch between the shoulders. Their underparts tend to tawny-buff to buff.
Taxonomy
The yellow-throated antwren is monotypic. It and Sclater's antwren (M. sclateri]] form a superspecies. The species' original author considered them likely to be conspecific but that treatment has not gained acceptance.
- Scientific name
- Myrmotherula ambigua
- Authority
- Zimmer, JT, 1932
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Myrmotherula
Range and habitat
The yellow-throated antwren is found in southwestern Venezuela's Amazonas state, in extreme eastern Colombia's Guainía and Vaupés departments, and in Brazil in the upper basin of the Rio Negro. It inhabits the subcanopy and canopy of lowland evergreen forests of several types, typically those on white sand soil to mixed soils. In elevation it mostly occurs below 350 m (1,100 ft), though only to 200 m (700 ft) in Colombia and occasionally as high as about 1,100 m (3,600 ft) on tepuis.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The yellow-throated antwren is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>The yellow-throated antwren's diet has not been detailed but is known to include insects and probably spiders and other arthropods. It typically forages in pairs and almost always as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It mostly feeds in dense foliage in or just below the forest canopy, even in stunted forest where the canopy is only about 15 m (50 ft) high. It actively seeks prey mostly by gleaning leaves, and also takes prey from vine tangles and along branches by gleaning, reaching, lunging, and hovering.<p>Nothing is known about the yellow-throated antwren's breeding biology.<p>The yellow-throated antwren's song is a "monotone, slow, very high 'pew-pew--' ".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lesser Kiskadee
Philohydor lictor
This flycatcher is brown above and bright yellow below with a black-and-white head pattern; very similar in plumage to a host of other species including Great Kiskadee and Rusty-margined Flycatcher. However, note Lesser Kiskadee’s smaller size, slender shape, and longer, narrower bill. Sexes alike. Found singly or in pairs, almost exclusively around slow-moving bodies of water in the lowlands of northern South America. Easy to find; tends to perch conspicuously often at eye level close to the water’s surface. Also listen for its slurred buzzy calls to help distinguish from similar species.
Flavescent Flycatcher
Myiophobus flavicans
A relatively drab olive-yellow flycatcher with indistinct tawny wingbars (sometimes nearly lacking) and yellowish spectacles. Fairly common in Andean cloud forest from Venezuela to Peru. Singles or pairs found in the lower levels of forest, sometimes (but not always) with mixed-species flocks. Occurs from around 1,200–2,700 m. Compare with Orange-crested Flycatcher, which has a thin complete eyering.
Ochre-lored Flatbill
Tolmomyias flaviventris
Small, yellowish-olive flycatcher that ranges mainly in northern and eastern South America as well eastern Panama. Distinguishing features include its yellow throat and breast, orange face, thick wingbars, and wide bill. Similar to Olive-faced Flycatcher, which used to be considered the same species and called Yellow-breasted Flycatcher. Note their different ranges, which mostly do not overlap. Ochre-lored Flycatcher has a brighter face with a hint of orange, more distinct wingbars, and has a different voice. Its most common call is a piercing whistle given alone or in a slow series. Occasionally also gives well-spaced rasping calls. Inhabits secondary forest and light woodland, usually avoiding the interior of mature forest.
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