Dot-winged Antwren

The Dot-winged Antwren, also known as the Velvety Antwren, is a diminutive passerine bird belonging to the Thamnophilidae family, often referred to as the "typical antbirds". Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the males are predominantly black with a concealed white shoulder patch and distinctive white-tipped greater wing coverts. Females, on the other hand, display a blackish-gray head and upperparts with a black throat and rufous-chestnut underparts, sharing the male's wing and tail patterns.

Identification Tips

This species measures between 10 to 12.5 cm in length and weighs a mere 7.5 to 11.5 grams. It possesses a long, graduated tail and exhibits a variety of plumage patterns across its subspecies, with differences in the size of white tips on the tail and variations in the underparts' coloration ranging from cinnamon to deep chestnut.

Habitat

Dot-winged Antwrens inhabit a range of tropical evergreen and secondary forests, often with dense vine tangles. They are found in forest edges and gaps, semi-deciduous forests, and occasionally in shaded plantations of cacao and guava. Some populations prefer bamboo stands and várzea forests.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across Mexico, Central America (excluding El Salvador), and parts of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname.

Behaviour

Dot-winged Antwrens are year-round residents that forage actively for arthropods, often in pairs or small family groups. They may join mixed-species feeding flocks but do not travel with them, preferring to forage between 3 and 10 meters above ground.

Song & Calls

The song of the Dot-winged Antwren varies among subspecies and sexes, typically characterized by an accelerating series of notes. Calls include a range of sharp notes, downslurred whines, and complex raspy calls.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by region, with nests being deep pouches of partially decayed leaves lined with plant fibers. Both sexes are involved in nest building, incubation, and provisioning of nestlings. The clutch size is typically two eggs.

Similar Species

The Dot-winged Antwren can be distinguished from similar species by its unique wing and tail patterns, as well as its distinctive vocalizations.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists almost exclusively of arthropods. The antwren forages with agility, employing flutter-flying, hopping, and hitching movements to glean prey from vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Dot-winged Antwren as Least Concern due to its extensive range and large population. Though the population is believed to be decreasing, no immediate threats have been identified, and the species is fairly common within its range.