Amazonian Streaked-Antwren
Myrmotherula multostriata
Small streaked antwren of riparian habitats. Males are white with black streaking; females are similar but with an extensive reddish wash. Tail very short in both sexes. Usually found in waterside vegetation around still or slow-moving water bodies like streams and lakes, where it forages low in vegetation overhanging the water. Gives two main songs: an even-pitched, accelerating trill of musical notes, and a slow ascending-descending series of whistled notes. The latter is one of the most characteristic bird sounds around oxbow lakes in Amazonia.
Identification
The Amazonian streaked antwren is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 7.5 to 9 g (0.26 to 0.32 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 large 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 face and cinnamon-rufous crown and nape with black streaks. Their breast and sides are buff and the rest of their underparts white with a buff tinge; their underparts have widespread thin black streaks.
Taxonomy
The Amazonian streaked antwren was described and illustrated by the English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1858 and given its current binomial name Myrmotherula multostriata. By the early twentieth century it and what are now the Guianan streaked antwren (M. surinamensis) and the Pacific antwren (M. pacifica) were considered conspecific as the "streaked antwren". Differences in their plumage and voice indicate that they are separate species. The Amazonian streaked antwren is monotypic: No subspecies are recognized.
- Scientific name
- Myrmotherula multostriata
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1858
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Myrmotherula
Range and habitat
The Amazonian streaked antwren is found locally in eastern Colombia and southern Venezuela. From there its range extends south and east through eastern Ecuador and eastern Peru into northern Bolivia and central Brazil to Maranhão and Tocantins in the east and Mato Grosso in the south. There is also an apparently isolated population in Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul. It occurs almost entirely south of the Amazon River except in the lower reaches of the Rio Negro basin, a northern tributary. It inhabits the understorey and mid-storey of lowland evergreen forest (primarily várzea and igapó) and shrubby secondary forest. It occurs almost entirely near water, in thickets and vine tangles along rivers, streams, and oxbow lakes. In elevation it ranges from sea level to about 550 m (1,800 ft) but only to about 300 m (1,000 ft) in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-fronted Black-Chat
Oenanthe albifrons
A small and relatively slim black chat. There is some geographical variation: males can show a small white patch on the forehead, or a larger one that covers most of the crown. In some areas, males also have a white shoulder patch. Females vary from being completely black to having a gray throat and sometimes a gray forehead. Found in open savanna, often in rocky and/or recently burned areas. Similar to Sooty Chat and Northern Anteater-Chat, but smaller, and male can always be identified by the white forehead patch. The song is long, chatty, and musical.
Solomons Corella
Cacatua ducorpsii
A rather small corella-type cockatoo. An entirely white, short-tailed, noisy parrot with light blue bare skin around the eyes. Chest and belly often stained slightly brownish. Undertail and underwing yellowish in flight, but difficult to see. Often raises tall white crest. Found in most types of forest up to 1700 meters of elevation. Unmistakable within its range. Voice loud and obtrusive, including a harsh croaking “reh-reh.”
California Thrasher
Toxostoma redivivum
Long-tailed with long, slender bill that is sharply downcurved. Drab grayish-brown without any markings. Paler on throat; warmer orangey color on belly. Often hard to see when lurking in dense shrubs. Sings from prominent perches. Song is seemingly endless and complex. Forages primarily on the ground. Range restricted to dense brush and woodland in California and Baja California.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.