[3] During much of the 20th century it was placed in genus Myrmotherula but by around the year 2000 it was returned to Formicivora on the basis of a morphological and vocal study.

It is now found in several subpopulations along the coast of Baía da Ilha Grande in Rio de Janeiro state.

There it typically inhabits areas in the early stages of succession such as young second growth and secondary forest.

[7] The diet of the black-hooded antwren is not known in detail but includes insects, spiders, and small frogs.

It typically forages singly, in pairs, or in family groups, and only seldom if ever as part of a mixed-species feeding flock.

It forages actively, taking most prey by gleaning from live leaves, vines, branches, and stems.

The black-hooded antwren's song is a "high, level, rattling 'tjotjotjo---' (2-3 sec)"[8] that is also described as a "three-second series of low-pitched tchóup calls".

"Development of the narrow coastal plain for tourism and beachside housing has been extensive and threatens the small remnant patches of suitable habitat.