Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and fragmentation through logging and clearance for sugarcane and pasturelands is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A high-pitched and strident trill, slightly accelerating and falling in pitch. Also a harsh 'chzíp' call.
Scalloped Antbird (Myrmoderus ruficauda) [XC705705]
by Fernando Igor de Godoy from Carlos Chagas, Minas Gerais, Brazil (song)
Scalloped Antbird (Myrmoderus ruficauda) [XC663861]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from Serra do Quengo, Usina Frei Caneca, Jaqueira, Pernambuco, Brazil (call, song)
Subspecies
Genus appears not to represent a monophyletic grouping, but traditional arrangement maintained pending further phylogenetic study. Close relationship with Ferruginous-backed Antbird (Myrmoderus ferrugineus), White-bibbed Antbird (Myrmoderus loricatus) and Squamate Antbird (Myrmoderus squamosus) suggested by similarities in plumage, vocalizations and nest architecture.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
soror (Pinto, 1940) - Coastal north-eastern Brazil (Paraíba south to Alagoas).
ruficauda (Wied, 1831) - Eastern Brazil in south-eastern Bahia, extreme eastern Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.