Formicivora grisea
The Southern White-fringed Antwren (Formicivora grisea) is a small, slender passerine of the antbird family (Thamnophilidae), measuring approximately 11-13 cm in length and weighing 8-12 grams. Males are strikingly marked with a broad white supercilium contrasting with black ear coverts and a solid black throat extending to the upper breast, while their upperparts are gray and flanks white, culminating in a black tail tipped with white. Females display more geographical variation, often showi...
Found in dry, semi-arid scrub, cerrado, caatinga, open woodland edges, and secondary growth, preferring dense undergrowth, typically at low to mid-elevations below 1000m.
Primarily consumes small arthropods, including insects (ants, beetles, caterpillars) and spiders, gleaned from vegetation.
Daily activity patterns see the Southern White-fringed Antwren active from dawn to dusk, often in pairs or small family groups, typically roosting communally in dense shrubbery. Their primary foraging strategy involves meticulously gleaning small arthropods from leaves and twigs within the dense ...
The Southern White-fringed Antwren boasts an extensive and primarily resident distribution across northern and eastern South America. Its breeding range encompasses much of Venezuela, eastern Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and a vast portion of Brazil, stretching from the Amazon Basin...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name 'Formicivora' means 'ant-eater' in Latin, though ants are only one part of its diverse insectivorous diet. - Despite being widespread, it's often more heard than seen due to its preference for dense, shrubby thickets. - The male's striking black face patch, framed by a broad...