Klages's antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Central and northwestern Amazonia (Brazil)
Typical Environment
This antwren is confined to the Brazilian Amazon, especially along the Rio Negro and nearby interfluvials. It favors white-sand (campinarana) forest mosaics and edges of blackwater igapó, where the understory is open but patchy. Birds keep to the lower strata, slipping through vine tangles and small saplings. It occurs most commonly in relatively undisturbed tracts and is scarce where the forest is fragmented.
Altitude Range
0–300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Klages's antwren is a tiny Amazonian antbird specialized for white-sand (campinarana) and adjacent blackwater floodplain forests in north-central Brazil. It typically forages low in dense understory, often joining mixed-species flocks. The species is sensitive to habitat alteration and has a relatively small, localized range, which contributes to conservation concern.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through the understory
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs and frequently joins mixed-species understory flocks. Pairs maintain small territories and move methodically through dense cover. Nests are placed low, and both parents participate in care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched series of rapid notes or a short, slightly accelerating trill. Calls are sharp chips that can be hard to localize in dense vegetation.
Plumage
Male is slaty-gray to blackish with fine pale spotting and two narrow white wingbars; throat and face can appear darker. Female is warm olive-brown above with buffy to cinnamon underparts and lighter wingbars. Both sexes show a neat, compact appearance with a slightly rounded tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods such as ants, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans from leaves and twigs and occasionally sallies to snatch small flying insects. The species may attend army-ant swarms opportunistically but is not an obligate follower.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the lower understory of white-sand forests and along edges of blackwater floodplain woods. Often works vine tangles, sapling clusters, and slender branches 1–4 m above the ground.
