South-eastern Amazonian Brazil between eastern bank of R Tapajós and R Iriri, extending south to both banks of middle R Teles Pires (Mato Grosso).
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Status VU
Forest habitat destruction and degradation due to road building, ranching, smallholder agriculture, mining and hydroelectric development, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Small arthropods. Follows ant swarms to locate their prey.
Voice
A short series of about 2.8 seconds containing about 5 whistles, the first of which is longest and flat, the second of which is shortest and most downslurred after which the notes lengthen and flatten. Calls include a harsh 'chirr'.
Bare-eyed Antbird (Rhegmatorhina gymnops) [XC315029]
by Jeremy Minns from Floresta Nacional do Tapaj\u00f3s, km67, Brazil (call, three different call types)
Bare-eyed Antbird (Rhegmatorhina gymnops) [XC229057]
by Jeremy Minns from Rio Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Mato Grosso, Brazil (song)
Subspecies
May prove to be a member of an obligate ant-following clade. This and other members of genus form a well-defined species group.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Male Harlequin Antbird (Rhegmatorhina berlepschi) is similar to female of Bare-eyed Antbird (Rhegmatorhina gymnops), though has rufous breast patch and nape and grey neck side and underparts. Also the species is not known to overlap geographically.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet