En bref

• Scientific Name: Pyriglena leucoptera
• Spanish Name: Hormiguero de hombros blancos
• Family: Thamnophilidae
• Known Nicknames: White-shouldered Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye
• Average Length: 15–17 cm / 5.9–6.7 in
• Average Weight: 22–28 g / 0.78–0.99 oz
• Envergure : N/A
• Key Feature: Male is glossy black with a large white patch on the shoulder; female is brown with buffy underparts and a white shoulder patch
• Primary Diet: Insectivore (primarily ants and other arthropods)
• Range: Eastern Brazil (from Bahia south to Santa Catarina) and eastern Paraguay
• Habitat: Understory of humid lowland and montane Atlantic Forest
• Social Structure: Typically in pairs or small family groups
• Nesting/Breeding: Cup-shaped nest placed in a fork of a shrub or small tree
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Évolution démographique : En baisse

The White-shouldered Fire-eye (*Pyriglena leucoptera*) is a striking, medium-sized antbird found in the humid lowland forests of eastern Brazil. Its most unique characteristic is the male's bold, snowy-white patch on the "shoulder" of its otherwise jet-black plumage, which contrasts vividly with its fiery red iris—a feature that gives the species its dramatic name. The female is more cryptic, with olive-brown upperparts and a rufous-brown tail, but she shares the same bright red eye. A special feature of this bird is its intimate association with army ant swarms; it acts as an "obligate" follower, gleaning insects and small arthropods flushed by the ants, and often joins mixed-species flocks in a noisy, energetic pursuit of prey through the dark understory.

Faits amusants

Despite its name, the white-shouldered fire-eye doesn't actually have fiery eyes; the "fire" refers to the male's striking red iris, which it can subtly flare by dilating its pupil to intimidate rivals during aggressive displays. This bird is an obligate ant-follower, rarely foraging on its own, and instead trailing army ant swarms to snatch insects and spiders fleeing the raid—a behavior so specialized that it will abandon its territory if the ant column moves away. It also has a unique, almost comical habit of flicking its wings open and shut while hopping sideways on branches, a motion thought to flush hidden prey or signal to mates in the dense understory.

Habitats et répartition

This bird is primarily found in the Atlantic Forest of eastern South America, specifically within a narrow coastal strip of southeastern Brazil, extending from southern Bahia south through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and into northeastern Paraná. It inhabits the understory and midstory of humid, lowland and montane evergreen forests, particularly favoring dense, shaded areas with thick vine tangles and bamboo thickets. It is also occasionally found in mature secondary growth and forest edges, but it avoids open, deforested landscapes and seems to be absent from the interior of the continent.

Comportements & Reproduction

The White-shouldered Fire-eye is a socially monogamous bird, typically forming stable pairs that defend a territory year-round. These pairs are often observed foraging together in the understory, and the male uses a distinctive white patch on its shoulder in visual displays during courtship. Reproduction is cooperative in some populations, where offspring from previous broods may remain with the pair and assist in feeding nestlings. The nest is a cup built low in dense vegetation, where the female lays two eggs, and both parents share incubation duties. A unique strategy is the high degree of nest site fidelity, with pairs often reusing or renovating the same nest location across multiple seasons, which may reduce energy expenditure in territory defense.

Alimentation

The White-shouldered Fire-eye is an insectivorous bird, with its diet consisting almost entirely of arthropods, particularly a wide variety of insects and spiders. An interesting fact about its feeding behavior is that it is a dedicated follower of army ant swarms, especially those of the genus *Eciton*; it perches low in the understory, often within a meter of the ground, and swoops down to capture prey flushed by the ants, including cockroaches, grasshoppers, and beetle larvae. This species also gleans insects from the undersides of leaves and bark while hopping through dense vegetation, and it has been observed consuming small fruits occasionally, though the vast majority of its nutritional intake is from animal matter.

Couleurs

The male White-shouldered Fire-eye is predominantly glossy black with a conspicuous white patch on the shoulder (the “lesser wing coverts”), while the female is a rich, warm brown with a paler, buffy throat and a smaller, less distinct white shoulder spot. Both sexes have bright red eyes that contrast sharply with their dark plumage. This species lacks elaborate patterns or camouflage adaptations, relying instead on its dark coloration to blend into the understory shadows of its forest habitat.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Détails de l'attraction

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