The Bahia antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus) or pileated antwren[2] is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.[3][1]

Bahia antwren
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
Genus: Herpsilochmus
Species:
H. pileatus
Binomial name
Herpsilochmus pileatus

Taxonomy and systematics edit

The Bahia antwren has a rather tortuous taxonomic history. At one time its binomial Herpsilocmus pileatus applied to what is now the caatinga antwren (later H. sellowi and since 2021 Radinopsyche sellowi). What are now the black-capped antwren (H. atricapillus) and creamy-bellied antwren (H. motacilloides) were treated as conspecific with the Bahia antwren. The splitting into three species and the revision of binomials was achieved by the early 2000s. The Bahia and black-capped antwrens are now considered sister species.[4][5][6][7][8]

The Bahia antwren is monotypic.[3]

Description edit

The Bahia antwren is 10.5 to 11 cm (4.1 to 4.3 in) long and weighs about 9 g (0.32 oz). Adult males have a black crown and nape, a long white to pale gray supercilium, and a black streak through the eye. The rest of their upperparts are gray with white-edged blackish scapulars and a white patch between them. Their wings are black with white tips on the coverts and white edges on the flight feathers. Their tail is black with white feather tips and white edges on the outermost. Their underparts are white with a gray wash. Adult females have a buffish forehead and black and white streaked crown. Their upperparts are gray with an olive tinge and their underparts white with an ochraceous tinge.[9][2]

Distribution and habitat edit

The Bahia antwren is found in coastal Bahia, Brazil, from south of Salvador to the area of Transcoso. It inhabits the mid-storey to the canopy of restinga woodlands, generally those on sandy soils.[9][2] In elevation it ranges from sea level to 840 m (2,800 ft).[1]

Behavior edit

Movement edit

The Bahia antwren is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.[9]

Feeding edit

The Bahia antwren's diet has not been detailed but includes insects and probably spiders. It forages singly, in pairs, and in family groups and sometimes as a member of a mixed-species feeding flock. It typically forages from about 5 m (20 ft) above the ground to the canopy but will feed lower in scrubby areas. It usually captures prey by gleaning from foliage, stems, vines, and branches, mostly by reaching or short lunges from a perch. It sometimes makes short sallies to grab prey or to hover-glean.[9]

Breeding edit

Nothing is known about the Bahia antwren's breeding biology.[9]

Vocalization edit

The Bahia antwren's song is a "fast series of very high, rising 'toot' notes, accelerating to a rattle" and lasts two to three seconds.[2] Its calls include a "short note sounding like 'greep' " and a "rather slow-paced rattle".[9]

Status edit

The IUCN originally in 2002 assessed the Bahia antwren as Vulnerable and uplisted it to Near Threatened in 2023. It has a small and fragmented range and its estimated population of between 4200 and 13,000 mature individuals is believed to be decreasing. "Coastal forests in Bahia have suffered tremendous reduction in size during the last few decades. Logging companies and conversion to pastures are among the factors that have contributed to the deforestation process."[1] It is considered common in the few areas it inhabits and is found in at least two protected areas. However, "[p]lanned large-scale developments of beach resorts in S coastal Bahia could have a major negative impact on the conservation status of this species".[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d BirdLife International (2023). "Bahia Antwren Herpsilochmus pileatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T22729474A223550265. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T22729474A223550265.en. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 246–247. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.
  3. ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Antbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 26 November 2023. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved November 27, 2023
  5. ^ Whitney, B. M., J. F. Pacheco, D. R. C. Buzzetti, and R. Parrini (2000). Systematic revision and biogeography of the Herpsilochmus pileatus complex, with description of a new species from northeastern Brazil. Auk 117(4):869–891.
  6. ^ Cohn-Haft, M. and Bravo, G.A. (2013). A new species of Herpsilochmus antwren from west of the Rio Madeira in Amazonian Brazil. Pp. 272–276 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J. & Christie, D.A. eds. (2013). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Special Volume: New Species and Global Index. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
  7. ^ Whitney, B.M., Cohn-Haft, M., Bravo, G.A., Schunk, F. and Silveira, L.F. (2013). A new species of Herpsilochmus antwren from the Aripuanã–Machado interfluvium in central Amazonian Brazil. Pp. 277–281 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J. & Christie, D.A. eds. (2013). Handbook olf the Birds of the Word. Special Volume: New Species and Global Index. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
  8. ^ Bravo, G. A., B. M. Whitney, R. Belmonte-Lopes, M. R. Bornschein, N. Aristizábal, R. Beco, J. Battilana, L. N. Naka, A. Aleixo, M. R. Pie, L. F. Silveira, E. P. Derryberry, and R. T. Brumfield (2021). Phylogenomic analyses reveal non-monophyly of the antbird genera Herpsilochmus and Sakesphorus (Thamnophilidae), with description of a new genus for Herpsilochmus sellowi. Ornithology 138(3):ukab025. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukab025
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Zimmer, K., M.L. Isler, and E. de Juana (2020). Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bahant1.01 retrieved February 27, 2024

External links edit