Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified given recent taxonomic splits. The species is described as 'uncommon and patchily distributed' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been investigated. Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 6% over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The species is only known from forest interior (del Hoyo et al. 2022); consequently, population declines may be steeper than the rate of tree cover loss suggests. Tentatively, population declines are here placed in the band 1-19% over ten years.
The species is ground-dwelling and occurs in lowland and foothill humid evergreen forest below 1,300 m. It seems to prefer shaded interior forest with well-developed leaf-litter, often on slopes. It is often observed in pairs or family groups, foraging very inconspicuously on the forest floor by turning over leaves in a methodical manner. It feeds on small arthropods, but it is not known to attend ant-swarms, or to join mixed-species flocks. Breeding is recorded between March-May and July-October in French Guiana, but also in October in Suriname. Normally, the clutch consists of a single egg. The juvenile is still closely attended by the female 30 days after hatching. The species is presumed to be resident.
14.5-15.5, 42-51g. Pot-bellied, short-tailed predominantly terrestrial antbird with a relatively long bill and blue periorbital patch extending behind the eye. Pale buff tips to black coverts and secondaries create striking wing bars, also tertials are brown-buff. White interscapular patch on buff mantle and grey underparts except throat, which is black in male and ochre-buff in female. Similar spp. Reminiscent of a Formicarius antthrush in behaviour, but plumage more like Spot-backed Antbird Hylophylax naevius. Overall a unique Thamnophilid and generally unmistakable. Voice Loudsong simple whistles increasing in intensity and pitch.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Southern Wing-banded Antbird Myrmornis torquata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/southern-wing-banded-antbird-myrmornis-torquata on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.