The rufous-backed antvireo (Dysithamnus xanthopterus) is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.[2]
| Rufous-backed antvireo | |
|---|---|
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| Male at Campos do Jordão, São Paulo State, Brazil | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thamnophilidae |
| Genus: | Dysithamnus |
| Species: | D. xanthopterus
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| Binomial name | |
| Dysithamnus xanthopterus Burmeister, 1856
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Taxonomy and systematics
editDescription
editThe rufous-backed antvireo is about 12 cm (4.7 in) long. Adult males have a gray forehead, crown, nape, and upper back; their forehead, upper sides of the face, and lores have white spots. Their rest of their upperparts, wings, and tail are rufous. The center of their throat is white. Most of their underparts are pale gray (that is almost white on the belly) and their flanks are ochraceous. Adult females have a rufous crown and the spots on their face are pale buff. Most of their underparts are also pale buff, with pale olivaceous sides and flanks.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
editThe rufous-backed antvireo is found in southeastern Brazil's coastal mountains, primarily between Rio de Janeiro and Paraná states.[3][4] Since 2013 there have been scattered records from further south in Santa Catarina.[5][6] The species inhabits the mid-storey to the subcanopy of montane evergreen forest and mature secondary forest. In elevation it ranges between 750 and 1,700 m (2,500 and 5,600 ft).[3][4]
Behavior
editMovement
editThe rufous-backed antvireo is thought to be a year-round resident throughout its range.[3]
Feeding
editThe rufous-backed antvireo feeds mostly on insects and its diet also includes other arthropods and the berries of Rapanea mistletoe. It usually forages singly or in pairs, and frequently as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It typically feeds between about 3 and 12 m (10 and 40 ft) above the ground, especially in the outer parts of trees, in the tops of bamboo, and in woody vine tangles. It feeds mostly with short sallies to snatch prey from overhanging leaves. It also gleans by reaching or lunging while perched. It has not been observed following army ants.[3]
Breeding
editThe rufous-backed antwren's breeding season appears to span from September to February. Its only known nest was an open cup of plant fibers thickly covered with moss placed in a branch fork 1.8 m (6 ft) above the ground. It held two eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.[3]
Vocalization
editThe rufous-backed antwren's song is a "very high, rapid series of a descending, shivering, whistled rattle".[4] It calls include "a short, low-pitched muffled note...sounding like 'quock' " and "a short, harsh bark".[3]
Status
editThe IUCN has assessed the rufous-backed antvireo as being of Least Concern. It has a large range and an unknown population size that is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It occurs in a few protected areas. It is considered uncommon and local and so "warrants continued monitoring".[3]
References
edit- ^ a b BirdLife International (2018). "Rufous-backed Antwren Dysithamnus xanthopterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22701387A130212417. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22701387A130212417.en. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Antbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Rufous-backed Antvireo (Dysithamnus xanthopterus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rubant2.01 retrieved March 13, 2024
- ^ a b c d van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 238–239. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.
- ^ Kohler, G.U. and Chaves, C.C. (2013). Southernmost record for Rufous-backed Antvireo Dysithamnus xanthopterus, in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Cotinga 35: 131–132.
- ^ "Rufous-backed Antvireo Species Map". Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.