Pyriglena leucoptera
The White-shouldered Fire-eye (Pyriglena leucoptera) is a striking antbird species endemic to the dense understory of the Atlantic Forest of eastern South America. Males are entirely glossy black, punctuated by brilliant white shoulder patches (scapulars), and both sexes possess distinctive, fiery red irises that give the species its common name. Females exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism, displaying a rich rufous-brown on their upperparts and creamy-buff underparts, while still sporting th...
Found in the dense understory of humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, including secondary growth and forest edges, from sea level up to about 1,200 meters elevation.
Primarily consumes insects and other small arthropods (spiders, centipedes), often caught by following army ant swarms or by gleaning from vegetation.
White-shouldered Fire-eyes are diurnal, active residents of the forest floor and understory, often observed foraging in pairs or small family groups. Their primary foraging strategy involves diligently following army ant swarms, where they dart in to snatch insects and other arthropods flushed by...
The White-shouldered Fire-eye is endemic to eastern South America, predominantly found across a significant portion of the Atlantic Forest biome in southeastern Brazil. Its distribution extends from the states of Alagoas and Sergipe in the north, southwards through Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito S...
Least Concern
- Its striking red eyes are the direct inspiration for its common name, 'Fire-eye'. - White-shouldered Fire-eyes are quintessential 'ant-followers,' frequently observed shadowing army ant swarms to ambush disturbed prey. - Despite their reliance on army ants, they typically do not eat the ants th...