The black-hooded antwren is an Endangered Species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in fragmented tracts of lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest and adjacent scrub along Brazil’s eastern coastal belt, primarily from southern Bahia southward toward Rio de Janeiro. It favors dense understory in secondary growth, forest edges, and coastal thickets, including restinga-like scrub. Birds typically stay within the lower strata, moving through vine tangles and shrubs. The species is patchily distributed, with small, isolated populations tied to remaining habitat fragments.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small antwren is highly localized and threatened by the loss and fragmentation of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Males have a striking black hood contrasted by a rufous back, while females are duller and lack the hood. It forages low in dense thickets, usually in pairs, and is sensitive to habitat disturbance.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, darting flights
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups holding year-round territories. Nests are placed low in shrubs or vine tangles within dense cover. Occasionally joins mixed-species understory flocks but often forages independently. Courtship and pair-bond maintenance involve close following and soft contact calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, high-pitched series of thin notes that may accelerate into a brief trill; pairs sometimes deliver duet-like sequences. Calls include sharp tsk or tsip notes given while moving through dense vegetation.
Plumage
Male shows a glossy black hood and underparts with a rich rufous to chestnut back and contrasting white wingbars; wings and tail are dark with small white spotting. Female is browner overall, with warm olive-brown upperparts, buffy underparts, and no black hood; wingbars remain evident.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, including ants, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles and occasionally sallies to snatch small flying insects. Rarely, it may attend small ant swarms but is not a dedicated ant follower. Foraging occurs mostly between 0.5 and 3 meters above the ground.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and scrubby edges with abundant leaf litter and vine growth. Frequently uses secondary forest, regenerating thickets, and coastal scrub where cover is continuous.
