#antwrens

Reference Photo

I know what you’re going to say, but the name predicted antwren actually makes a lot more sense than you think. In 1988, an unidentified species of antbird was observed in the Urucu River basin, Amazonas, Brazil. The bird appeared to be a spot-backed antwren (Herpsilochmus dorsimaculatus), but as the species' known range did not extend to the area, another Herpsilochmus as yet undescribed was thought to be present. And lo, in 1999, the bird was sighted again nearby and later described as a congener to the spot-backed. The mystery was solved, but whether they had no better name ideas or just wanted to preserve their gotcha! moment for posterity, we may never know.