The pygmy antwren is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in humid lowland rainforest, including terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests. Favors forest edges, secondary growth, vine tangles, and riverine thickets, and also uses the subcanopy and midstory within mature forest. Often near gaps and along trails where dense foliage and lianas provide foraging substrates. Generally avoids very open habitats but adapts well to lightly disturbed woodlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Among the smallest antbirds, the pygmy antwren is quick and restless, often joining mixed-species flocks. It forages in vine tangles and the subcanopy, gleaning tiny arthropods from foliage and dead-leaf clusters. Unlike some antbirds, it rarely follows army ants. Its high, thin trills can be hard to locate in dense forest.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the subcanopy. Territorial calling and duetting occur between mates. Nests are small, delicate cups placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a thin, high-pitched series of tsee or tsi notes that accelerate into a short trill. Calls are sharp, very high, and often delivered from concealed perches, making the bird easier to hear than to see.
Plumage
Tiny antbird with olive to gray-olive upperparts and pale buff to whitish underparts; wings dark with bold white spotting and edging that create a speckled, broken wingbar effect; tail very short.
Diet
Feeds mainly on tiny arthropods such as ants, small beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and dead-leaf clusters, often hanging briefly to inspect the undersides. Occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flushed insects. Regularly forages within mixed-species flocks, benefiting from prey disturbed by other birds.
Preferred Environment
Forages in vine tangles, liana-rich subcanopy, and dense foliage along forest edges and streams. Also uses early secondary growth and light gaps where small insects are abundant.
