The narrow-billed antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to eastern Brazil.
Region
Eastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest
Typical Environment
Found patchily in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, primarily in lowland and foothill evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. It favors dense understory, vine tangles, and forest edges, including secondary growth. The species also forages in thickets along streams and in selectively logged forest, provided sufficient understory remains. Fragmentation limits its occurrence to larger or better-connected forest remnants.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small antbird is endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and is named for its slender, needle-like bill used to pick tiny arthropods from foliage. It often travels in pairs and joins mixed-species flocks, where its quiet trills can give away its presence in dense understory. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats to this species.
Temperament
skulking yet active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs that maintain small territories and frequently join mixed-species flocks in the understory. Nests are small cups placed low in dense vegetation. Courtship includes soft calls and close-following through tangles.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of soft, rapid trills and high, thin notes that can be easily overlooked amid forest background noise. Contact calls are sharp chips used to keep pairs in touch while foraging.
Plumage
Males are mostly slate-gray with darker face and fine, clean plumage lacking heavy streaking; females are warmer brown-olive above with buffy underparts. Both sexes show contrasting pale wing bars and a distinctly slender bill. Overall appearance is neat and compact, with short wings and tail suited to maneuvering in dense cover.
Diet
Primarily consumes small insects and other arthropods, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. It probes and picks methodically, often hanging briefly to reach the undersides of foliage. Occasionally hawks short distances to snatch flushed prey and follows mixed flocks to exploit disturbed insects.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory of primary and well-structured secondary forest, especially in viney thickets and along forest edges. Also uses riparian thickets where cover is continuous.
