Characterization: Small species measuring about 17.5 cm in length. The male's coloration is shiny black, and its head, neck, and chest are rufous-brown. The female, meanwhile, is an olive-brown, and its belly and upper side are striated black.

Distribution: From the Guianas to Maranhão, Goiás, south of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul.

Habitat: Damp places, in marshes and swamps.

Habits: A diurnal species, it sleeps and nests in marshes.

Diet: Carnivorous, feeding mainly on insect larvae.

Breeding: This bird lays 3 eggs in a nest built on reeds, the cylindrical leaves of which it uses to weave a deep bowl almost on the surface of the water.

In the UFRA area: This bird species was seen in 5 of 10 studied habitats. The habitats were organic sugarcane fields, wetlands with herbaceous plants, wetlands with riparian forests, restored native forests, and drainage ditches. It is considered little frequent, as it was spotted only 10 times.