The orange-bellied antwren or Sick's antwren, is a Critically Endangered species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Northeastern Brazil, Atlantic Forest
Typical Environment
Occurs in highly fragmented lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest, mainly within protected or private reserves in Pernambuco and Alagoas. It favors tall, humid evergreen forest and older secondary growth with a well-developed midstory. Birds move through vine tangles and slender branches between roughly 3–12 m above ground, often with mixed-species flocks. The range is extremely small and patchy, with few confirmed localities. Persistence depends on maintaining continuous forest structure and controlling further deforestation.
Altitude Range
50–600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Sick’s antwren, this tiny antbird is restricted to a handful of Atlantic Forest fragments in northeastern Brazil and is listed as Critically Endangered. It forages high in the understory to midstory and often joins mixed-species flocks, making it easy to overlook. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the principal threats, and conservation relies on protecting a few key reserves. The species honors the Brazilian ornithologist Helmut Sick.
Temperament
shy and furtive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups and frequently accompanies mixed-species flocks of understory insectivores. Likely maintains small territories within suitable forest patches. Breeding biology is poorly known, but like many antbirds it probably builds a small, well-concealed cup nest and lays a small clutch.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a fast, high-pitched series of thin notes that accelerates slightly and can be easily masked by forest noise. Calls include sharp chips and short trills used for contact within pairs and mixed flocks.
