Voice
A semimusical accelerating trill, becoming louder and more spluttered, often with an introductory note. Often as a duet male first then echoed by female.
Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi) [XC728405]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Boa Nova, BA - dry forest, Brazil (call)
Caatinga Antwren (Herpsilochmus sellowi) [XC127167]
by Fernando Igor de Godoy from P\u00e3o de A\u00e7\u00facar, Alagoas, 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 part of a clade that also includes Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus), Black-capped Antwren (Herpsilochmus atricapillus), Creamy-bellied Antwren (Herpsilochmus motacilloides) and Ash-throated Antwren (Herpsilochmus parkeri). Present species was long known under name of "Herpsilochmus pileatus", but recent study showing that population of south-eastern Bahia is a distinct species also revealed that this name is actually applicable to the newly discovered form. A replacement scientific name for present species was thus required and supplied.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Bahia Antwren (Herpsilochmus pileatus) is smaller with a shorter tail. Male also has a grey not white supercilium and lacks the black post-ocular line. Female lacks white streaking on the crown (has some grey scalloping on sides), forehead is greyish, buffy grey on face lacking supercilium and post-ocular stripe.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet