Coastal eastern Brazil in Bahia (south of Salvador).
 
Population
Estimated population is 1000 - 2499 (2013) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation through conversion to pastures, planned large-scale tourist resort development, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Four - seven notes separated by decreasing intervals which eventually merge into a regular series.
Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus) [XC131606]
by Jeremy Minns from Ilh\u00e9us, Bahia, Brazil (call, song)
Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus) [XC482221]
by id from Conde, State of Bahia, Brazil (song)
Subspecies
Herpsilochmus pileatus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus) and Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi) following SACC (2005).
Considered to be part of a clade that includes Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi), Black-capped Antwren (Herpsilochmus atricapillus) and Creamy-bellied Antwren (Herpsilochmus motacilloides), all previously merged with present species, and Ash-throated Antwren (Herpsilochmus parkeri). Present species only recently separated taxonomically. Name "Herpsilochmus pileatus" long applied to Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi), but studies in connection with taxonomic recognition of present species showed that the name was actually applicable to the newly discovered form. A replacement scientific name for the long-known form was thus required and supplied, "Herpsilochmus sellowi".
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Males told from sympatric Black-capped Antwren (Herpsilochmus atricapillus) by large bill, much shorter tail and greyer underparts. Females have less buff in underparts (restricted largely to breast).
References
See References.