Orange-bellied Antwren
Terenura sicki
Small canopy antwren, unmistakable in its tiny range. Males have a gray back, gray head, black-and-white streaked flanks, and white underparts. Females have a cinnamon back and a brownish tinge to the underparts and head. Found in a few remaining fragments of semi-humid forest at higher elevation, where it forages actively in the canopy, typically with mixed-species flocks. Draws attention to itself by its fast song with uneven “chip” notes, similar to Streak-capped Antwren, with which it doesn’t overlap in range.
Identification
The orange-bellied antwren is 9.5 to 10.5 cm (3.7 to 4.1 in) long and weighs 6.5 to 7 g (0.23 to 0.25 oz). Adult males' crown, nape, and upper back are streaked black and white. The rest of their upperparts are black with a few white streaks; they have a hidden white patch between the shoulders. Their wings are black with pale edges on the flight feathers and wide white tips on the coverts. Their tail is blackish. Their throat and underparts are white. Adult females have a rufous back and rump and orange underparts. The white streaks on their head have a pale buff tinge.
Taxonomy
The orange-bellied antwren is monotypic. It shares genus Terenura with the streak-capped antwren (T. maculata); the two are sister species and may form a superspecies.
- Scientific name
- Terenura sicki
- Authority
- Teixeira & Gonzaga, 1983
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thamnophilidae
- Genus
- Terenura
Range and habitat
The orange-bellied antwren has a disjunct distribution in the northeastern Brazilian states of Pernambuco and Alagoas. It inhabits the subcanopy and canopy of semi-humid evergreen forest. In elevation it mostly ranges between 200 and 700 m (660 and 2,300 ft) but occurs as low as 100 m (330 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-backed Troupial
Icterus croconotus
Big orange-and-black oriole with bare skin around the eye. Bright orange with black tail, wings, and face, light yellow eyes, and a white wing patch. Sexes similar. Distinctive in the Amazon basin, where it is the only large orange-and-black oriole. Found in secondary growth, forest edges, and suburban areas, often near water. Listen for its song, a slow series of whistles.
Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix verticalis
A small, compact finch-like sociable lark that is both resident and nomadic, although movements are poorly understood. The sexes differ in plumage: the male has a gray-brown back and wings with a scalloped pattern, and a black head with bold white ear patches that reach the back of the neck; the streaky female is variable depending on geographic range, but always has a dark belly patch and tends to be paler than other female sparrow-larks. Flocks of 20 to 100 birds (often mixed with other sparrow-larks or with Stark’s Lark) can appear in grassy patches in semi-arid shrublands and fallow fields. They shuffle along in bare patches foraging for seeds and insects.
Upcher's Warbler
Hippolais languida
A medium-sized, gray-brown warbler that looks very similar to other species. Note the rather stout bill and broad dark tail. Smaller and browner than Olive-tree Warbler and larger than Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. Wing panel is not as prominent as that of Olive-tree Warbler. Breeds on scrubby hillsides and river valleys; occasionally in flatter lowlands. During non-breeding season, found in a variety of wooded or brushy habitats. Sings from prominent perches—a repetitive, rapid mix of musical and scratchy phrases. Call is a harsh "chak."
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