Black-bellied Antwren Formicivora melanogaster Scientific name definitions

Despite this species’ undoubtedly large range across eastern and central South America, it is almost endemic to Brazil, as the Black-bellied Antwren only narrowly extends into northern Paraguay and southeast Bolivia. Throughout its distribution, the species is fairly common, although it is perhaps more sensitive to habitat degradation than some of the Caatinga’s other avian inhabitants. In plumage, the Black-bellied Antwren recalls the partially sympatric White-fringed Antwren (Formicivora grisea), but males are rather darker above, with much less obvious white flanks, while females are even more easily separated by the broad white supercilium contrasting with the dark mask, and paler underparts. The Black-bellied Antwren is typically found in pairs in the under- or midstory of taller caatinga, tropical deciduous woodland, or even second growth at the ecotone between caatinga and cerrado.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Loudsong a monotonous series resembling that of F. grisea, but pace very slow (e.g. 14 notes, 6 seconds), sometimes becoming irregular. Calls include a short series of complaining squeals (e.g. 5–15 notes at 5 notes per second), variable in frequency and pace; also sharp high-pitched “seek” notes and lower-pitched, short downslurred notes; calls may vary regionally.