Orange-bellied antwren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orange-bellied antwren |
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| Female T. sicki in Pernambuco, Brazil | |
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| Male T. sicki in Pernambuco, Brazil | |
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Terenura
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| Species: |
sicki
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The orange-bellied antwren (Terenura sicki), also known as Sick's antwren, is a small bird found only in Brazil. It belongs to a group of birds called "typical antbirds." Sadly, this bird is currently listed as Critically Endangered, which means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
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About the Orange-bellied Antwren
What's in a Name?
The orange-bellied antwren is the only species in its group, which means it's quite unique! It's related to another bird called the streak-capped antwren. Think of them as close cousins in the bird family.
How to Spot an Orange-bellied Antwren
This tiny bird is about 9.5 to 10.5 cm (3.7 to 4.1 in) long, which is roughly the size of a small sparrow. It weighs only about 6.5 to 7 g (0.23 to 0.25 oz) – that's lighter than a pencil!
- Males: They have black and white stripes on their head and upper back. The rest of their upper body is mostly black with some white streaks. They even have a hidden white patch between their shoulders! Their wings are black with light edges, and their tail is dark. Their throat and belly are white.
- Females: They look a bit different! Females have a reddish-brown back and rump. Their most striking feature is their orange belly! The white stripes on their head have a soft, pale yellow tint.
Where Do They Live?
The orange-bellied antwren lives in two separate areas in northeastern Brazil: the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas. They prefer to live in the middle and upper parts of semi-humid evergreen forests. You'll usually find them between 200 and 700 m (660 and 2,300 ft) above sea level, but sometimes they can be seen as low as 100 m (330 ft).
Daily Life of an Antwren
Movement and Home
These birds don't migrate; they stay in the same area all year round. They are residents of their forest homes.
What Do They Eat?
Orange-bellied antwrens mainly eat insects, and they probably enjoy spiders too! They search for food alone, in pairs, or sometimes with their family. They often join groups of different bird species that are foraging together.
They usually look for food high up in the trees, between 7 and 20 m (20 and 70 ft) above the ground. They are very active and constantly move, picking their prey from dense plants, especially in tangled vines. They usually grab their food while perched, or they might make short jumps to catch it. Sometimes, they even hover in the air briefly to snatch an insect.
Reproduction and Family Life
Scientists believe the breeding season for the orange-bellied antwren is from November to February. They build a small, cup-shaped nest using moss and plant fibers. The nest is carefully hung from a fork at the end of a tree branch, usually about 10 to 12 m (30 to 40 ft) high. We don't know much about how many eggs they lay, how long the eggs take to hatch, or how long it takes for the young birds to leave the nest.
What Do They Sound Like?
The orange-bellied antwren has a unique song. It's described as a "very high, very sharp 'tewée-tuwée-tititititi'," which gets softer as it goes on. Their calls include a "sharp 'chip'" and a slightly longer, lower note that goes downwards.
Why Are They Endangered?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has been tracking the orange-bellied antwren's status for many years. It was first listed as Threatened in 1988, then Vulnerable, then Endangered, and since 2016, it has been Critically Endangered.
This bird is in danger because its population is very small, with only an estimated 50 to 250 adult birds left. Their numbers are still decreasing. They are found in only about 10 known locations. The biggest problem they face is the ongoing destruction of their forest home. Large areas of the Atlantic forest in Brazil have been cleared for logging, sugarcane farms, and cattle pastures. Even some areas that are supposed to be protected are still being logged. Protecting their habitat is crucial to help these special birds survive.
