Todd's Antwren
Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
Common antwren of mixed-species flocks in forest canopy, but sometimes found away from them; heard frequently but seldom seen. From below, note clean white underparts, long tail, and rather heavy bill. Moves sluggishly along branches and examines leaf clusters. Often occurs in the same flocks as Spot-tailed Antwren and is not safely separable from that species under most viewing conditions, except by voice. Song is distinctive and given throughout the day, often when other species are quiet.
Identification
Todd's antwren is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 8 to 9.5 g (0.28 to 0.34 oz). Adult males have a black forehead with short white streaks, a black crown and nape, a long white supercilium, and a black streak behind the eye. Their back and rump are light gray with small black patches, white-edged black scapulars, and a white patch between the scapulars. Their wings are black with white tips on the coverts and white edges on the flight feathers. Their tail is black; the feathers have white tips, white spots and a white streak on the central ones, and white edges on the outer ones. Their throat is white and their underparts pale gray with slightly darker sides. Adult females have a buff tinge on their forehead, a black crown with white spots, and light buff breast and sides. Their wings and tail are like the male's. The species is very similar to the spot-tailed antwren (H. sticturus), differing mostly in female plumage and song.
Taxonomy
Todd's antwren is monotypic. It appears to form a superspecies with the ancient antwren (H. gentryi).
- Scientific name
- Herpsilochmus stictocephalus
- Authority
- Todd, 1927
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Herpsilochmus
Range and habitat
The spot-tailed antwren is found from eastern Venezuela's Bolívar state east through the Guianas into northeastern Brazil's Pará and Amapá states. It inhabits the subcanopy and canopy of humid evergreen forest in the lowlands and foothills. It favors areas of tall forest on rich soil and almost never occurs in forested savanna or seasonally flooded forest. In elevation, it ranges from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft). Its range overlaps that of the spot-tailed antwren, whose preferred habitat is somewhat different.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Todd's antwren is thought to be a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>The diet of Todd's antwren has not been detailed but is known to be mostly arthropods. It forages singly, in pairs, and in family groups, and often as a member of a mixed-species feeding flock. It typically feeds between 20 and 40 m (65 and 130 ft) above the ground, at the ends of leafy branches, in the crown of trees, and in vine tangles. It forages actively but methodically and usually captures prey by gleaning leaves, stems, and vines by reaching from a perch. It is not known to follow army ants.<p>Nothing is known about the breeding biology of Todd's antwren.<p>The song of Todd's antwren is a "short, high, rapid series of about 12 notes, which descend and slow down at the end". Its calls include an "abrupt, downslurred 'tup' and even more abrupt, vibrant 'chit' ". Its song is the easiest way to separate it from the spot-tailed antwren, as both are hard to see in the forest canopy.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Olive-backed Woodpecker
Gecinulus rafflesii
Medium-sized crested woodpecker with an olive-brown body and a black-and-white-striped head and neck; quite dull and dark for a flameback. Crest is bright red in males and black in females. Inhabits lowland and hill forests, where it forages both at middle levels and close to the ground, both singly and in pairs. Generally fairly uncommon and local. Gives cacophonous descending calls, often with a rasping quality.
Grayish Mourner
Rhytipterna simplex
Large, rather monochromatic flycatcher that frequents the middle to upper levels of humid forests where it often accompanies mixed-species flocks. The plumage of males is a uniform gray with dark-red eyes, while females and juveniles have brownish wings-edges and tail. Very similar to Screaming Piha, but is smaller and has more rufous eyes. The song is a loud and fast “tr-tr-tr-chew” with emphasis on the “chew” note and is a conspicuous part of the dawn chorus.
Yellow-browed Antbird
Hypocnemis hypoxantha
Rather small antbird with a disjunct distribution. Males have a yellow face and underparts with a black crown, eye-line, and streaks on the breast. Females have a yellow streaked crown. Southeastern subspecies has ochraceous lower underparts. Song is a descending and decelerating series of fluted notes becoming harsher at the end. Found in the understory of humid forests, often in areas of transitional forest or poor soils. Rarely accompanies mixed-species flocks. The similar Spix's and Peruvian Warbling-Antbirds have white breasts, and the song of Peruvian is somewhat slower-paced.
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