The rufous-backed antvireo (''Dysithamnus xanthopterus'') is a species of

bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...

in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family

Thamnophilidae The antbirds are a large passerine bird family, Thamnophilidae, found across subtropical and tropical Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina. There are more than 230 species, known variously as antshrikes, antwrens, antvireos, fire ...

, the "typical antbirds". It is endemic to Brazil.

Taxonomy and systematics

The rufous-backed antvireo is monotypic.

Description

The rufous-backed antvireo is about long. Adult males have a gray forehead, crown, nape, and upper back; their forehead, upper sides of the face, and Lore (anatomy), lores have white spots. Their rest of their upperparts, wings, and tail are rufous. The center of their throat is white. Most of their underparts are pale gray (that is almost white on the belly) and their flanks are ochraceous. Adult females have a rufous crown and the spots on their face are pale buff. Most of their underparts are also pale buff, with pale olivaceous sides and flanks.Zimmer, K. and M.L. Isler (2020). Rufous-backed Antvireo (''Dysithamnus xanthopterus''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rubant2.01 retrieved March 13, 2024

Distribution and habitat

The rufous-backed antvireo is native to the Serra do Mar coastal forests, primarily between Rio de Janeiro (state), Rio de Janeiro and Paraná (state), Paraná states. Since 2013 there have been scattered records from further south in Santa Catarina (state), Santa Catarina. The species inhabits the mid-storey to the subcanopy of montane evergreen forest and mature secondary forest. In elevation it ranges between .

Behavior

Movement

The rufous-backed antvireo is thought to be a year-round resident throughout its range.

Feeding

The rufous-backed antvireo feeds mostly on insects and its diet also includes other arthropods and the berries of ''Rapanea'' mistletoe. It usually forages singly or in pairs, and frequently as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It typically feeds between about above the ground, especially in the outer parts of trees, in the tops of bamboo, and in woody vine tangles. It feeds mostly with short sallies to snatch prey from overhanging leaves. It also gleans by reaching or lunging while perched. It has not been observed following army ants.

Breeding

The rufous-backed antwren's breeding season appears to span from September to February. Its only known nest was an open cup of plant fibers thickly covered with moss placed in a branch fork above the ground. It held two eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.

Vocalization

The rufous-backed antwren's song is a "very high, rapid series of a descending, shivering, whistled rattle". It calls include "a short, low-pitched muffled note...sounding like 'quock' " and "a short, harsh bark".

Status

The IUCN has assessed the rufous-backed antvireo as being of Least Concern. It has a large range and an unknown population size that is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified. It occurs in a few protected areas. It is considered uncommon and local and so "warrants continued monitoring".

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1271721 Dysithamnus Birds of the Atlantic Forest Endemic birds of Brazil Birds described in 1856 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot