The Peruvian warbling antbird or Peruvian antwarbler, is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland forests of Peru, western Brazil, eastern Ecuador, southeastern Colombia, and northern Bolivia. It inhabits terra firme and seasonally flooded forests, edges, and secondary growth with dense understory. The species is especially frequent in vine tangles and Guadua bamboo stands along streams and river margins. It tends to avoid very open habitats, remaining in shaded, cluttered microhabitats. Local presence is often detected by its characteristic duets rather than by direct views.
Altitude Range
100–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small antbird is part of a complex once lumped under the Warbling Antbird but now recognized as a distinct species based on voice and plumage. Pairs often perform precise antiphonal duets, with male and female delivering alternating notes. It forages low in the understory and is frequently associated with bamboo thickets. Though it may attend army-ant swarms, it is not an obligate ant follower.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found as pairs that maintain territories year-round. Pairs stay in close contact while foraging low in dense understory and often join mixed-species flocks. Nest is a small open cup placed low in vegetation; both sexes participate in breeding duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, musical series of whistles and warbles, often accelerating and rising slightly. Duets are common, with male and female alternating phrases that interlock rhythmically. Calls include sharp chips given during agitation or contact.
Plumage
Compact antbird with smooth, fairly plain upperparts and contrasting wingbars; underparts range from gray to buff with subtle barring or mottling on the flanks. Males show a darker face and throat contrasting with gray crown and back; females are warmer brown above with buffier underparts.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods, including insects such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and orthopterans, as well as spiders. It gleans from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flushed prey. The species sometimes forages near army-ant swarms to take disturbed insects but does not depend on them.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within 0.5–3 m of the ground in dense understory, bamboo patches, and along forest edges and stream corridors. Often forages in dim, cluttered microhabitats where it can move methodically through tangles.
