Streak-capped antwren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Streak-capped antwren |
|
|---|---|
.JPG) |
|
| Male at Angra dos Reis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Terenura
|
| Species: |
maculata
|
 |
|
The streak-capped antwren (scientific name: Terenura maculata) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to a group of birds called "typical antbirds" (family Thamnophilidae). You can find this bird in parts of South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Contents
About the Streak-capped Antwren
What Kind of Bird Is It?
The streak-capped antwren is a unique bird. It is the only species in its group (called a genus) that doesn't have any different types or subspecies. It is closely related to another bird called the orange-bellied antwren. Think of them like cousins in the bird family!
What Does It Look Like?
This little bird is about 9 to 10 centimeters (about 3.5 to 4 inches) long. That's roughly the size of your hand! One antwren was found to weigh about 6.5 grams, which is less than a few paperclips.
Male antwrens have a cool pattern on their heads. Their crown (top of the head), neck, and upper back have black and white stripes. The rest of their upper body is a warm, reddish-brown color, with some yellow near their tail. They even have a hidden white patch between their shoulders! Their wings are black with light yellow edges, and their tail is a grayish-green.
Underneath, males have a white throat and upper chest with black stripes. Their lower chest is yellow with black stripes, and their belly is plain yellow. Female antwrens look similar to males but are usually a bit paler. The white stripes on their head might have a light yellowish tint, and the stripes on their belly are not as clear as the male's.
Where Do Streak-capped Antwrens Live?
Their Home: The Atlantic Forest
The streak-capped antwren lives in the southern part of the Atlantic Forest. This is a large forest area found along the coast of Brazil, stretching from Bahia to Santa Catarina. You can also find them further inland in Brazilian states like Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná.
Their home also extends into eastern Paraguay, in areas like Canindeyú and Caazapá. And if you go to the very northeast of Argentina, specifically Misiones Province, you might spot them there too!
What Kind of Places Do They Like?
These birds prefer to live in evergreen forests, which are forests where trees stay green all year. They also live in secondary woodland, which is forest that has grown back after being cut down. They usually hang out in the middle and upper parts of the trees, called the mid-storey and canopy. You can find them from sea level all the way up to about 1,250 meters (about 4,100 feet) high in the mountains.
How Do Streak-capped Antwrens Live?
Staying in One Place
Scientists believe that streak-capped antwrens stay in the same area all year long. They don't seem to migrate or travel long distances.
What Do They Eat?
We don't know all the details about what streak-capped antwrens eat, but their diet is mostly made up of insects. They probably eat spiders too!
They usually look for food in pairs, but sometimes they hunt alone or with their family. They often join groups of different bird species that are all looking for food together. This is called a mixed-species feeding flock.
These birds typically search for food about 6 meters (about 20 feet) above the ground, all the way up to the very tops of the trees. Sometimes, though, they will go all the way down to the ground to find a meal. They are very active and move around a lot, picking their prey off leaves, tangled vines, and thick patches of plants in bamboo areas. They mostly find food while sitting on a branch or by making quick, short lunges. Sometimes, they even hover in the air for a moment to grab an insect. Interestingly, they are not known to follow swarms of army ants, which many other antbirds do.
Reproduction and Nests
So far, only one streak-capped antwren nest has ever been found! It was discovered in October. The nest was small, shaped like a cup or a bag, and was hanging from a fork at the end of a small branch. It was about 5 meters (about 16 feet) above the ground. An adult bird was seen bringing food to the nest, which means there were probably baby birds inside!
We don't know how many eggs they lay, how long the eggs take to hatch, or how long it takes for the baby birds to be ready to fly. There's still a lot to learn about how these birds raise their young.
What Do They Sound Like?
The streak-capped antwren's song is a high, sharp, ringing sound that sounds like "trrrrr." It lasts for about three seconds. Their calls include a sharp "chip" sound and a slightly longer, lower-pitched note that goes down in sound. They can make these sounds one at a time or in short bursts. Sometimes, they even switch between the "chip" and the longer note in a longer series of calls.
How Are They Doing?
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of how many animals are left in the wild. In 1988, they first thought the streak-capped antwren was "Near Threatened," meaning it might be in danger soon. But since 2004, they have changed its status to "Least Concern." This means they are not worried about it becoming extinct right now.
The streak-capped antwren lives in a very large area. We don't know exactly how many of them there are, but scientists believe their numbers might be slowly going down. However, no immediate big threats have been found that would put them in danger. They are considered fairly common in the places where they live and can be found in several protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
