Caatinga Antwren - Herpsilochmus sellowi

Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi)

Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
July 2002

The Caatinga Antwren has only recently been described by Bret M. Whitney, José Fernando Pacheco, Dante R. C. Buzzetti & Ricardo Parrini, in "Systematic revision and biogeography of the Herpsilochmus pileatus complex, with description of a new species from northeastern Brazil", The Auk 117, 4 (2000): 869-891.

Although individuals had been known for a long time, it was only on publication of this article that it was shown that they had been wrongly identified as Bahia Antwren H. pileatus.

The Caatinga Antwren has a shorter and narrower bill, pale loral area, short postocular streak, and undertail coverts variably buffy. The voice is similar to Bahia Antwren but has twice as many notes and is slightly higher in pitch.

It is found, not surprisingly, in caatinga habitat.

There is an illustration on the cover of of The Auk 117, 4 (2000) and some more information on the web at http://www.ornitaxa.com/SM/New/NewTypicalAntbirds.htm.

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