The fringe-backed fire-eye, for a time known as Swainson's fire-eye, is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil. In Brazilian Portuguese it is called papa-taoca-da-bahia.
Region
Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in the coastal Atlantic Forest, primarily in southern and eastern Bahia, with a patchy presence in adjacent lowland fragments. It inhabits the dense understory of mature forest, tall secondary growth, and occasionally shaded cacao plantations (cabruca). Birds keep close to cover, moving through vine tangles, thickets, and along streamside vegetation. The species is closely tied to continuous forest and is adversely affected by fragmentation and degradation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
An antbird of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, the fringe-backed fire-eye is named for its striking red iris and the pale fringes on the male’s back feathers. It forages low in dense understory and will often attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed insects. The species is highly sensitive to forest loss and fragmentation, persisting in some shaded cacao (cabruca) agroforests. It was historically referred to as Swainson’s fire-eye.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between dense cover
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs that maintain year-round territories. They nest low in dense vegetation, with both parents involved in care of the young. While generally solitary or in pairs, they may join mixed-species flocks briefly when moving through suitable understory. Territorial duets and countersinging are common during breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a clear, accelerating series of whistles that rises slightly before ending abruptly. Calls include sharp chips and a dry churr given when agitated. Vocalizations carry well through dense foliage and help mates stay in contact.
Plumage
Male is mostly glossy black with pale whitish fringes on the mantle and back creating a scalloped, 'fringed' effect; female is warm brown to rufous-brown above with paler underparts and darker tail. Both sexes have a conspicuous red iris that gives the 'fire-eye' name. Plumage is sleek with minimal wing patterning and a slightly graduated tail.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects, spiders, and larvae. It gleans prey from leaves, stems, and vine tangles, and will sally to the ground or low perches to capture moving targets. The species sometimes follows army-ant swarms to exploit flushed invertebrates, though it is not an obligate ant follower. Occasional small beetles and orthopterans feature prominently in the diet.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the shaded understory of mature and tall secondary forest, often within 0.5–2 m of the ground. Also uses dense edges, streamside thickets, and shaded cacao plantations where leaf litter and vine tangles are abundant. It avoids open or heavily disturbed areas.
