The Pectoral Antwren occurs in northeastern Brazil. Males have a black-and-gray pattern, a white eyebrow and a black breast patch; nests have been recorded in relatively open coastal forest.
The male has a black crown and nape, white eyebrow, black eye stripe, gray upperparts and mostly white underparts with a black breast patch. The female has a rufous crown and olive upperparts.
A study of coastal forest fragments in Rio Grande do Norte recorded this species and a close relative nesting in relatively open forest. This is a record from the study area.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.