Rufous-faced Antbird Myrmelastes rufifacies Scientific name definitions

One of the five species now recognized within the Spot-winged Antbird (Myrmelastes leucostigma) complex, Rufous-faced Antbird occupies the southeastern part of Amazonia. It is a Brazilian endemic, confined to the lowland forests east of the Rio Madeira, as far as the Rio Tocantins, and south to northern Mato Grosso. Both sexes differ only marginally in morphology from Spot-winged Antbird, which replaces it north of the Amazon, and from Humaita Antbird (Myrmelastes humaythae), which replaces the present species west of the Rio Madeira; females, for example, have paler underparts, a grayer crown, and more rufous head sides. Rufous-faced Antbird’s habits, ecology, and habitat preferences all appear similar to those of other members of the complex as far as is known.

14–16 cm; 21–26 g. A typical member of the <em>M. leucostigma</em> species complex ; most similar to neighbouring M. humaythae, but male has crown grey, underparts slightly darker, tinged olive-brown on sides, flanks and crissum, and female  has crown more grey-brown, head-sides more rufous, and underparts paler and more evenly coloured; the legs and feet of both sexes are pinker and paler than in M. humaythae. See also Taxonomy for differences from other, geographically more distant, taxa within this species complex.

Brazil E of R Madeira, E to Pará (W of R Tocantins) and S to N Rondônia and extreme N Mato Grosso).

Like other members of the M. leucostigma complex, inhabits understorey and floor of humid lowland evergreen forest, being usually associated with dense understorey vegetation along forest streams or in low-lying, poorly drained areas inside terra firme or transitional forest; occasionally in seasonally flooded forest. Mainly below 500 m, locally up to c. 800 m.

None recorded; presumed resident.

Few data have been published. Feeds on variety of insects, also arachnids; recorded prey in Brazil (Pará) include pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones), hemipterans, orthopterans, adult and larval beetles (Coleoptera), neuropteran larvae, harvestmen (Opiliones), ants (Formicidae). Most facets of its foraging behaviour and ecology are probably very similar, if not identical, to those of M. leucostigma (which see).

Loudsong is most similar to that of allopatric M. saturatus (which see); differs from that of M. leucostigma in being much slower-starting, and accelerating, with generally fewer total notes (versus accelerating at start and decelerating at end, with initially shorter notes that lengthen or remain of even length and shorter inter-note intervals); from M. brunneiceps in being lower-pitched and initially much slower (versus accelerating at start and decelerating at end, pitch increasing then decreasing gradually); and from M. humaythae in being much higher, slower, accelerating and descending (versus increasing sharply over first quarter of song, then flat, although terminal few notes may decrease slightly). Long call (“teeeeur”) sometimes given as multi-note series, which has apparently not been recorded among other taxa within the complex, but no other differences reported between present species and others in long call, short call or rattle.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon throughout most of its range. Considered endemic to Brazil, but unconfirmed records of “Spot-winged Antbirds” from Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, in NE Bolivia, might refer to the present species, or perhaps to M. humaythae, although on biogeographic grounds the former seems more likely. In Brazil, known from several conservation units including Tapajós National Park, the Serra dos Carajás mosaic of protected areas, Caxiuanã National Forest, and Rio Cristalino Private Natural Heritage Preserve. Regions inhabited by species also encompass extensive areas of intact habitat which are not formally protected, but seem unlikely to be threatened by development in the near future.