Pyriglena similis
The Tapajos Fire-eye (Pyriglena similis) is a striking passerine bird, renowned for its vivid ruby-red eyes that contrast sharply with its dark plumage. Males are predominantly glossy black, often sporting a small, inconspicuous white patch on their lesser wing-coverts, while females exhibit a rich rufous-brown coloration, a darker blackish head, and equally brilliant red eyes, showcasing distinct sexual dimorphism. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm in length and weighing around 25-30 grams, t...
This species primarily inhabits the understory of humid lowland terra firme evergreen forests, particularly in areas with dense vegetation. It can also be found in secondary growth, forest edges, and bamboo thickets, typically at elevations up to 500 meters.
The primary diet of the Tapajos Fire-eye consists of insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. They mainly forage by gleaning prey from foliage and the ground, often relying on army ant swarms to flush out their food.
Tapajos Fire-eyes are diurnal birds, spending their active hours meticulously foraging in the forest understory, often close to the ground. They are famous for their obligate association with swarms of army ants (Eciton burchellii and Labidus praedator), actively following them to snatch insects ...
The Tapajos Fire-eye is endemic to a restricted region within the Brazilian Amazon basin, primarily south of the Amazon River. Its distribution is geographically bounded by the Madeira River to the west and the Tapajós River to the east, with its northern limit approaching the main channel of the...
Least Concern
- The Tapajos Fire-eye gets its name from its strikingly bright ruby-red eyes, which stand out against its dark plumage. - It is a 'professional' army ant follower, meaning it relies heavily on swarming ants to stir up its prey, rather than foraging for them independently. - Despite its small siz...