The southern white-fringed antwren is an insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and coastal regions of Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It inhabits dense scrub, second growth, restinga thickets, caatinga-like shrublands, gallery forest edges, and savanna margins. The species favors tangled understory with scattered shrubs and small trees, often near water or along forest edges. It is generally absent from continuous tall forest but common in disturbed and early-successional habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The southern white-fringed antwren is a small antbird that creeps and hops through dense scrub, often flicking its tail to reveal the namesake white fringes. Pairs frequently duet, with male and female delivering contrasting phrases. It prefers edges, restinga, and other low, brushy habitats rather than deep forest. Though called an antbird, it is not an obligate army-ant follower and mostly gleans small arthropods from foliage and twigs.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or small family groups that maintain year-round territories. Pairs perform coordinated duets and stay in close contact while foraging. Nests are small cups placed low in shrubs or saplings, with both sexes participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male gives a short series of sharp, accelerating whistles or chips, often answered by the female with softer, higher notes. Calls include dry ticks and rattling chatter used for contact and alarm.
Plumage
Strong sexual dimorphism. Males are mostly dark slate to black with crisp white wing edgings and white-fringed tail; females are warm rufous to cinnamon above with buffy underparts and paler throat, often with a pale supercilium.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, including ants, beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and other insects gleaned from leaves, stems, and bark. It often inspects vine tangles, dead leaf clusters, and low shrubs. Occasionally sallies short distances to snatch prey and may probe curled leaves.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense scrub, restinga thickets, early secondary growth, and along forest and savanna edges. It typically works 0.5–3 m above ground in thick cover and may join loose mixed flocks along edges.
