Pygmy Antwren

About the Pygmy Antwren

The pygmy antwren (Myrmotherula brachyura) 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.

The pygmy antwren is monotypic. It previously had two subspecies, but in the 21st century one of them was treated as a separate species by some authors and currently (2024) by worldwide taxonomic systems as one of two subspecies of the moustached antwren (M. ignota).

The pygmy antwren is 7.5 to 8.5 cm (3.0 to 3.3 in) long and weighs 6 to 8 g (0.21 to 0.28 oz). It is a small bird with a tiny tail. Adult males have a black streak through the eye, white cheeks, and a thin black "moustache". Their crown, back, rump, and tail are black with thin white streaks that are faintly yellow except on the crown. They have a white patch between the shoulders. Their wings are black with white tips on the coverts and white edges on the flight feathers. Their throat is white and the rest of their underparts are yellow with sparse black streaks on the sides. Adult females have a buff tinge on the cheeks and crown... Wikipedia →