Slender antbird  (Rhopornis ardesiacus)

Whilst still fairly common within its habitat, the slender antbird has a very small range, and the population may be declining as a result of habitat loss. In 1990, only 5 – 20 percent of dry forest in east Bahia remained, having been steadily being cleared for cattle pastures, coffee plantations and firewood extraction (2). Much of the remaining forest is apparently unsuitable for the slender antbird due to a high level of disturbance by livestock (3).

The slender antbird is protected by law in Brazil, and a project is underway by Birdlife International to study its breeding habitats and work with local communities and schools to raise awareness and understanding of this species. Establishment of a forest reserve within the antbird's range is urgently needed, to provide essential protection for this endangered bird (2) (3).