The star-throated antwren is an insectivorous bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to southeastern Brazil.
Region
Southeastern Brazil (Atlantic Forest)
Typical Environment
Found in humid Atlantic Forest from southeastern Bahia through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and into Paraná and Santa Catarina. It favors dense understory, vine tangles, and bamboo thickets within primary and mature secondary forest. The species typically keeps close to the ground up to the midstory, using cover to move between foraging spots. It is most common along forested slopes, ravines, and stream gullies where moisture and cover are high.
Altitude Range
200–1600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small antbird is endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and is the sole species in the genus Rhopias, having formerly been placed in Myrmotherula. Its name comes from the male’s throat, which shows a striking constellation of white spots on a dark background. It forages quietly in dense understory, often in pairs, and may join mixed-species flocks.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs that maintain small territories within dense understory. It occasionally accompanies mixed-species flocks, especially when foraging. Nest is placed low in dense vegetation; both parents participate in incubation and care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of a series of thin, high-pitched notes that accelerate slightly into a short trill. Calls are sharp, insect-like chips used to keep contact in thick cover.
Plumage
Compact antwren with warm brown upperparts and grayish underparts; male shows a distinctive blackish throat densely spangled with small white spots, giving a 'starry' effect. Female has a buff to whitish throat with fine streaking and more rufescent underparts. Both sexes have short, rounded wings and a relatively long, narrow tail for maneuvering in thick cover.
Diet
Primarily takes small arthropods such as ants, beetles, spiders, and larvae. Gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and bamboo culms, often making short sallies to snatch insects. It probes into vine tangles and dead leaf clusters, using its short bill to pick concealed prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory of humid forest, along gullies, stream edges, and bamboo stands. Most foraging occurs from near ground level up to the lower midstory where cover is densest.
