Family Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae)
Least Concern
Long-winged Antwren (Myrmotherula longipennis)
Taxonomy
French: Myrmidon longipenne German: Silberameisenschlüpfer Spanish: Hormiguerito alilargo
Taxonomy:
Myrmotherula longipennis
Pelzeln
, 1868,Marabitanas, Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil
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Subspecies and Distribution
M. l. longipennis
Pelzeln, 1868 – S Venezuela (Bolívar, Amazonas), the Guianas, N Amazonian Brazil (E to Amapá), SE Colombia, extreme NE Ecuador (N of R Napo) and extreme N Peru (Loreto N of R Napo and R Amazon).
M. l. zimmeri
Chapman, 1925 – E Ecuador (S of R Napo) and NE Peru (S of R Napo, N of R Amazon and R Marañón).
M. l. garbei
H. von Ihering, 1905 – E Peru (S of R Amazon and R Marañón), SW Amazonian Brazil (E to R Madeira) and NW Bolivia (Pando, La Paz).
M. l. ochrogyna
Todd, 1927 – lower R Madeira E to lower R Tapajós.
M. l. paraensis
(Todd, 1920) – from R Tapajós E to W Maranhão, S to NE Mato Grosso.
M. l. transitiva
Hellmayr, 1929 – upper R Madeira E to upper R Tapajós.
Descriptive notes
9–10·5 cm; 8–10 g. Male nominate race is dark grey, paler below, concealed white interscapular patch; wing-coverts black, tipped white, scapulars and tail tips... read more
Voice
Loudsong nominate race a series of harsh upslurred notes (e.g. 10 notes, 5·5 seconds),... read more
Habitat
Understorey and mid-storey of lowland and foothill evergreen forest, primarily terra firme... read more
Food and feeding
Feeds on variety of insects and spiders. Stomach samples from Surinam contained lepidopteran larvae, beetles (Chrysomelidae), ants (... read more
Breeding
Nests found in Aug (2) and Dec (1) in French Guiana and in Aug–Nov in SE Peru (4). In French Guiana, nest built mainly by female, a... read more
Movements
None recorded; presumed resident.
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened. Considered to be fairly common throughout most of its range. Extensive range includes a number of large, protected areas, such as Alto Orinoco-... read more
Appears closest to M. urosticta and possibly M. menetriesii; the three are often grouped with similarly plumaged species in the “grey antwren assemblage” (see M. axillaris). Although plumage and vocal differences, and some genetic studies#R#R, suggest that some races may be separate species, recent analysis of vocal characteristics revealed a gradual change in the song from one race to the next (starting with nominate in N of range and proceeding in anticlockwise direction through Amazonia to paraensis); thus, at the two extremes of the range, nominate song sounds very different from that of paraensis#R. Geographical ranges of races given below are tentative, based mainly on previously published statements. Full review of all parameters required. Six subspecies recognized.