Myrmotherula behni
The Plain-winged Antwren (Myrmotherula behni) is a diminutive yet captivating member of the antbird family (Thamnophilidae), typically measuring between 9 and 10 cm in length and weighing a mere 7-8 grams. Males are elegantly attired in sleek gray plumage, often appearing slightly paler on the belly, and importantly, feature a distinctive white carpal patch on the folded wing, serving as a crucial identification mark. Females exhibit charming olive-brown upperparts and buffy underparts, frequ...
This species primarily inhabits the understory and mid-story of humid evergreen forests, favoring foothill and montane regions, particularly areas with bamboo thickets or dense vine tangles. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 600 to 1800 meters.
The diet of the Plain-winged Antwren consists predominantly of small insects, spiders, and other arthropods, which they actively glean from leaves, twigs, and bark within the forest understory.
Plain-winged Antwrens are diurnal and highly active, typically observed foraging in pairs or small family groups. They employ a meticulous 'gleaning' foraging strategy, hopping through foliage, along small twigs, and occasionally on bark, snatching small insects and spiders. While primarily insec...
The Plain-winged Antwren exhibits a disjunct distribution across several South American countries, primarily inhabiting the Andean foothills and adjacent lowlands. Its range spans from southern Venezuela (Amazonas and Roraima states) south through eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Pe...
Least Concern
- The Plain-winged Antwren is named for its distinctive lack of prominent wing-bars, a feature that helps distinguish it from many other antwren species. - Despite its small size (often no larger than a human thumb), it is a fierce and agile predator of small arthropods in its forest habitat. - I...