Fringe-backed fire-eye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fringe-backed fire-eye |
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Pyriglena
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| Species: |
atra
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The fringe-backed fire-eye (Pyriglena atra) is a rare bird from Brazil. It is also known as Swainson's fire-eye. This bird belongs to the antbird family. In Portuguese, it is called Olho-de-fogo-rendado.
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About the Fringe-backed Fire-eye's Name
The fringe-backed fire-eye was first described by an English scientist. His name was William Swainson. He described the bird in 1825. Later, in 1847, a German bird expert named Jean Cabanis gave it its current scientific name, Pyriglena.
What Does the Fringe-backed Fire-eye Look Like?
This bird is about 17.5 cm (about 7 inches) long. It has bright red eyes.
- Male birds: They are mostly black. They have a special patch of black feathers on their back. These feathers have white edges.
- Female birds: They are reddish-brown. Their belly is brown, and their tail is black. They also have a white throat.
The fringe-backed fire-eye has a unique song. It makes whistling fíu sounds. When it senses danger, it lets out a loud peerit call. This sound rises at the end.
Fringe-backed Fire-eye Behaviour
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The fringe-backed fire-eye builds its nest on the ground. The nest is very well hidden. It is shaped like a ball. The outside is covered with dry leaves. Inside, it is lined with soft fibers from piaçava palm trees. Both the male and female birds take turns sitting on the eggs. They also both help to raise their young.
What Does the Fringe-backed Fire-eye Eat?
This bird looks for food in thick plants. It usually stays within three meters (about 10 feet) of the ground. Sometimes, it will go higher into the trees. It might hunt alone or in small family groups.
The fringe-backed fire-eye eats many different things. Its diet includes:
Sometimes, these birds follow army ants. The army ants move through the forest. As they move, they scare insects and other small animals out of hiding. This makes it easier for the fire-eye to catch its prey.
Where Does the Fringe-backed Fire-eye Live?
This bird lives only in Brazil. It can be found in a small part of the Atlantic Forest. This forest is a special type of tropical forest in South America. The fringe-backed fire-eye lives in the lower parts of these forests. It prefers dense areas at the edge of both old and new forests. It avoids open, sunny places. Its home range is about 5,000 km². This area stretches from southern Sergipe to north-eastern Bahia. Sadly, its habitat is broken up into many smaller pieces.
Status and Conservation Efforts
The fringe-backed fire-eye is a very rare bird. Scientists believe there are only about 1,000 to 2,500 of these birds left. Their numbers are quickly going down. This is mainly because their forest home is being destroyed.
In 2010, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed this bird as an endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The fringe-backed fire-eye is also a protected species under Brazilian law. People are working to save its habitat and protect this unique bird.
