Minas gerais tyrannulet

Phylloscartes roquettei

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
Minas Gerais tyrannulet (en); cara-dourada (pt); tyranneau de Minas Gerais (fr); orejerito de Minas Gerais (es); gelbbürzel-laubtyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is endemic to south-eastern Brazil, only being found in northern Minas Gerais and southern Bahia.

Size:
These birds are 11-12 cm long and weigh about 8 g.

Habitat:
The Minas Gerais tyrannulet is found in dry tropical forests, riparian forests and semi-deciduous forests within cerrado including second growths and forest fragments. They occur at altitudes of 400-900 m.

Diet:
They forage in pairs or family groups, taking small arthropods from the foliage.

Breeding:
Minas Gerais tyrannulets possibly breed in October-February. The nest is a small, globular structure. There is no further information on the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a large breeding range but the global population is estimated at just 1.500-7.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be declining at a very rapid rate due to habitat loss through charcoal burning, forest cutting for pasture, cattle ranching and agricultural development. The São Francisco basin is also threatened by limestone quarrying and a large-scale irrigation project that has already resulted in the loss of large areas of forest.

Cinereous ground-tyrant

Muscisaxicola cinereus

Photo by Cristian Pinto (ArgentAvis)

Common name:
cinereous ground-tyrant (en); gaúcha-cinza (pt); dormilon cendré (fr); dormilona cenicienta (es); graubraun-grundtyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found along the Andes mountain range, from southern Peru down to central Chile and western Argentina as far south as Chillán.

Size:
These birds are 15-17 cm long and weigh about 20 g.

Habitat:
The cinereous ground-tyrant is mostly found in high-altitude scrublands and grasslands, such as puna grasslands, also using rocky areas, pastures, rivers and streams, lakes and bogs.

Diet:
They forage mainly on the ground, taking adult and larval insects.

Breeding:
These birds breed in September-March. The nest is built by the female alone, consisting of a cup made of twigs, dry herbs and roots, and lined with feather down, wool and hairs. It is placed in a cliff or rocky crevice. The female lays 2-3 whitish eggs with reddish-brown spots, which she incubates alone for 14-16 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and feldge 19-21 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Rufous-winged tyrannulet

Mecocerculus calopterus

Photo by Eric LoPresti (Natural Musings)

Common name:
rufous-winged tyrannulet (en); alegrinho-d'asa-ruiva (pt); tyranneau à ailes rousses (fr); piojito alirrufo (es); rotschwingen-tachurityrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found in the Andes of western and south-eastern Ecuador, and northern Peru
south to Lambayeque and La Libertad.

Size:
These birds are 11 cm long and weigh 10-11 g.

Habitat:
The rufous-winged tyrannulet is found in moist tropical forests and dry deciduous forests, mainly in mountainous areas but also in the lowlands. They also use plantations and second growths and occur at altitudes of 400-1.950 m.

Diet:
They forage alone or in pairs, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks, and take various adult and larval insects, and spiders.

Breeding:
There is no information about the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as uncommon. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Patagonian tyrant

Colorhamphus parvirostris

Photo by Pablo Contreras (Flickr)

Common name:
Patagonian tyrant (en); pitajo-da-Patagónia (pt); pitajo de Patagonie (fr); peutrén (es); Patagonienschmätzertyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species breeds from Temuco, in central Chile and adjacent Argentina, south to Tierra del Fuego. Outside the breeding season they can move further north up to La Serena.

Size:
These birds are 11-14,5 cm long and weigh 10-19,5 g.

Habitat:
The Patagonian tyrant is mostly found along the edges of humid temperate forests, including Nothofagus and Quillaja, also moving inside the forests. They also use scrublands, moist tropical forests and second growths. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They usually forage alone or in pairs, mainly eating insects but also berries and small fruits such as Maytenus magellanica.

Breeding:
Patagonian tyrants breed in October-February. They nest in a cup made of grasses and moss, placed on a scrub about 1-2 m above the ground. The female lays 3 white eggs with reddish spots. There is no information regarding the incubation and fledging periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Sooty-headed tyrannulet

Phyllomyias griseiceps

Photo by Leif Gabrielsen (iGoTerra)

Common name:
sooty-headed tyrannulet (en); piolhinho-de-cbeça-cinza (pt); tyranneau nain (fr); mosquerito cabecigrís (es); rußkappen-kleintyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is patchily distributed from eastern Panama, through Venezuela and Colombia, east into Guyana and extreme northern Brazil, and south through Ecuador into central Peru.

Size:
These birds are 10 cm long and weigh 8 g.

Habitat:
The sooty-headed tyrannulet is mostly found in moist tropical forests, particularly along the edges of humid tropical and upper tropical evergreen forest, also using dry tropical forests, second growths and plantation. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on insects and other arthropods, but also take some small fruits and berries.

Breeding:
Sooty-headed tyrannulets are known to breed in February, but their overall phenology has not been described. They nest in a small cup covered in lichen, located high up in a tree, in one case 13 m above the ground. There is no further information regarding the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common but patchily distributed. The sooty-headed tyrannulet is suspected to lose 14% of suitable habitat within its range over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation, so it is suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Greater wagtail-tyrant

Stigmatura budytoides

Photo by Paul Jones (Flickr)

Common name:
greater wagtail-tyrant (en); alegrinho-balança-rabo (pt); calandrite bergeronnette (fr); rabicano mayor (es); südlicher stelzentachurityrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This South American species occurs in two disjunct populations. The subspecies S.b. gracilis is found in eastern Brazil, in northern Bahia, Pernambuco and southern Piauí. The other three subspecies, S.b. budytoides, S.b. inzonata and S.b. flavocinerea, are found from central Bolivia and western Paraguay south to central Argentina as far south as Rio Negro.

Size:
These birds are 13-16 cm long and weigh 8,5-13 g.

Habitat:
The greater wagtail-tyrant is mostly found in dry scrublands, also using high-altitude scrublands, moist savannas and dry gallery forests. They are mainly present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m, but can occur up to an altitude of 2.700 m.

Diet:
They forage among the foliage and occasionally on the ground, taking various insects.

Breeding:
In Argentina, these birds breed in October-February. The nest is an open cup made of plant fibres and rootlets, bonded with spiderwebs, usually placed in a small tree or scrub 1–2 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated for 14-15 days. The chicks fledge 11-13 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common to common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Amazonian royal flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Photo by Luiz Cacaio (Bird Forum)

Common name:
Amazonian royal flycatcher (en); maria-leque (pt); moucherolle royal (fr); atrapamoscas real (es); kronentyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Mexico south to northern Brazil and Bolivia, and also in south-eastern Brazil.

Size:
These birds are 15-17 cm long and weigh 14-21 g.

Habitat:
The Amazonian royal flycatcher is mostly found in swamp forests, also using moist tropical forests, mangroves and rivers. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on flying insects, such as butterflies, moth and bugs.

Breeding:
These birds breed in October-June. The nest is a large, elongated structure made of plant fibres, rootlets, leaves and moss, placed hanging from a tree branch or vine, 2-6 m above the ground. The female lays 2 brown eggs which are incubated for 22 days. The chicks fledge 21-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 0,5-5 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Black-billed shrike-tyrant

Agriornis montanus

Photo by Diego Ferrer (Los Que Se Van)

Common name:
black-billed shrike-tyrant (en); gaúcho-de-bico-preto (pt); gaucho à bec noir (fr); gaucho serrano (es); schwarzschnabel-hakentyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found along the Andes, from southern Colombia south to central Chile and southern Argentina, and also in other highland areas of central and southern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 23-25 cm long.

Habitat:
The black-billed shrike-tyrant is mostly found in high-altitude scrublands and grasslands, also using rocky areas, pastures, arable land and urban areas. They occur at altitudes of 2.000-4.500 m.

Diet:
They feed on large insects, small mammals, lizards, frogs, eggs or nestlings of other birds, and seeds.

Breeding:
Black-billed shrike-tyrants breed in September-January. The nest is a cup made of dry grasses and twigs, placed among rocks or in rock crevices both on flat ground and on cliffs. The female lays 2-3 creamy-white eggs with fine brown spots, which she incubates alone for 15-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents but there is no available information regarding the length of the fledging period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as uncommon. This population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Slaty-backed chat-tyrant

Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
slaty-backed chat-tyrant (en); pitajo-negro (pt); pitajo noir (fr); pitajo negro (es); schiefermantel-schmätzertyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found along the Andes mountain range, from western Venezuela south to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 12-13 cm long and weigh 12 g.

Habitat:
The slaty-backed chat-tyrant is mostly found in dense vegetation within mountain rainforests, also using forests edges, second growths and areas along rivers and streams. They occur at altitudes of 1.600-3.300 m.

Diet:
They forage alone on in pairs, searching for insects among the foliage.

Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round, varying among different parts of their range. The nest is an open cup made of moss, lined with fern scales. It is placed on a rocky crevice, vertical rock wall or clay bank, usually adjacent or overhanging a stream, 1-5 m above the water. There the female lays 1-2 pale cream or white eggs, either unmarked or with a few cinnamon spots. The eggs are incubated for about 2 weeks and the chicks fledge 18-20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Pearly-vented tody-tyrant

Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Photo by Hector Bottai (Wikipedia)

Common name:
pearly-vented tody-tyrant (en); sebinho-de-olho-dourado (pt); todirostre à ventre perle (fr); titirijí perlado (es); perlbauch-todityrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found in two disjunct areas of South America. They are found in western and northern Colombia and throughout northern Venezuela into western Guyana. Also from Bolivia and central and eastern Brazil south to Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 10-10,5 cm long and weigh 7-10 g.

Habitat:
The pearly-vented tody-tyrant is mostly found in dry scrublands and among the lower growth of dry deciduous woodlands, also using moist scrublands and pastures. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They forage alone or in pairs, among the lower levels of the vegetation, taking various insects.

Breeding:
These birds breed in January-June in the northern part of their range and in October-December in the southern part. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of an elongated, domed purse with a side entrance, made of grasses, plant fibres and spider webs, and lined with plant down. It is placed hanging from a branch of a scrub, small tree or herb. The female lays 2-3 light-coloured eggs, which she incubates alone for 13-15 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 13-14 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common throughout this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Yellow-bellied tyrannulet

Ornithion semiflavum

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
yellow-bellied tyrannulet (en); poiaeiro-de-barriga-amarela (pt); tyranneau à ventre jaune (fr); mosquerito ventriamarillo (es); gelbbauch-kleintyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Mexico to western Panama.

Size:
These birds are 8 cm long and weigh 7-8 g.

Habitat:
The yellow-bellied is mostly found in moist tropical forests, also using forest edges, second growths, moist scrublands, plantations and rural gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They forage alone or in pairs, picking arthropods from the foliage.

Breeding:
Yellow-bellied tyrannulets possibly breed in March-June. They nest in a globular structure, well camouflaged among the foliage or in a dead tree. There is no further information regarding the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 50.000-500.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

White-throated spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Photo by Dario Sanches (Flickr)

Common name:
white-throated spadebill (en); patinho (pt); platyrhynque à moustaches (fr); picoplano bigotudo (es); gelbscheitel-breitschnabeltyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from Costa Rica south to central Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil and extreme north-eastern Argentina, only being present east of the Andes mountain chain. They are mostly absent from the Amazon river basin.

Size:
These birds are 9,5-10 cm long and weigh 9-10 g.

Habitat:
The white-throated spadebill is mostly found in moist tropical forests, also using dry tropical forests, scrublands and dense second growths near forest edges. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.150 m.

Diet:
They forage among the foliage taking small arthropods.

Breeding:
White-throated spadebills nest in a small, deep cup made of grass and plant fibres, usually placed in a fork in a sapling about 1 m above the ground. The female lays 2 yellowish-white eggs. There is no information regarding the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status -  LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be declining due to the effects of deforestation in the lowland parts of its range.

Cliff flycatcher

Hirundinea ferruginea

Photo by Dusan Brinkhuizen (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
cliff flycatcher (en); gibão-de-couro (pt); moucherolle hirondelle (fr); birro castaño (es); schwalbentyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species has a disjunct distribution. Subspecies H.f. ferruginea found in the northern Amazon basin, in south-eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, the Guyanas and north-western Brazil. H.f. sclateri is found along the eastern slopes of the Andes from Venezuela to southern Peru. H.f. pallidor is found from northern Bolivia to western Paraguay and north-western Argentina. Finally, H.f. bellicosa is found in the southern half of Brazil, into eastern Paraguay, Uruguay and north-eastern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 16-18,5 cm long and weigh about 20 g.

Habitat:
The cliff flycatcher is mostly found around cliff and rocky canyons, landslides and steep banks bordered by secondary or mature tropical forest, but can also use similar man-made habitats such as cuttings, bridges and quarries, ledges and building facades and nearby scrublands. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.900 m.

Diet:
They sally out from a perch to hawk various flying insects.

Breeding:
Cliff flycatchers nest on an open cup made of vegetable fibres and grasses, which is bordered by a ring of stones. The nest is placed in a ledge or crevice in a rock face or on a man-made structure such as a bridge or building.The female lays 2-3 white eggs with rusty spots, which she incubates alone for 2 weeks. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 15 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as fairly common but patchily distributed. The populations is thought to be increasing in numbers and spreading into artificial habitats due to their new nesting behaviour on man-made structures, providing them numerous nest-sites.

White monjita

Xolmis irupero

Photo by Cláudio Timm (Wikipedia)

Common name:
white monjita (en); noivinha-branca (pt); pépoaza irupéro (fr); monjita blanca (es); weißnonnentyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found in eastern Brazil, from Ceará to Espírito Santo, and from Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil,  to Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 17-18 cm long.

Habitat:
The white monjita is mostly found in dry savannas and grasslands, also using dry scrublands, pastures, marshes and lakes, and urban areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.300 m.

Diet:
They hunt flying insects by sallying out from a perch.

Breeding:
White monjitas breed in August-January. They nest in a large cup made of twigs and grass, lined with feather and hair, and placed in a tree hollow or in an abandoned nest of rufous hornero Furnarius rufus, about 3 m above the ground. The female lays 3-4 white eggs with fine reddish and grey markings, which she incubates alone for 12-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range but is described as uncommon. This population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Ruddy-tailed flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Photo by Anselmo d'Affonseca (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
ruddy-tailed flycatcher (en); papa-moscas-uirapuru (pt); moucherolle rougequeue (fr); mosquerito colirrufo (es); rotschwanztyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from southernmost Mexico, Guatemala and Belize south to central Bolivia and brazil down to Mato Grosso, Tocantins and Maranhão.

Size:
These tiny flycatchers are 9-10 cm long and weigh 7 g.

Habitat:
The ruddy-tailed flycatcher is mostly found in moist tropical forests and swamp forests, often favouring forest clearings. They also use dry tropical forests and tall second growths. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.

Diet:
They eat insects, particularly leafhoppers, either picking them from the foliage or hunting on the wing.

Breeding:
Ruddy-tailed flycatchers nests on a pear-shaped pouch of plant fibres and leaves with a side entrance, built by the female 2–6 m above the ground in the undergrowth of the forest and suspended from a twig or vine. The female lays 2 white eggs with chocolate-brown blotches, which she incubates alone for 15-22 days. The chicks are raised by the female alone and fledge about 19 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 500.000-5.000.000 indivduals. The ruddy-tailed flycatcher is suspected to lose 15-17% of suitable habitat within its distribution over the next decade based on a model of Amazonian deforestation. It is therefore suspected to suffer a small decline in the near future.

Bright-rumped attila

Attila spadiceus

Photo by Greg Lavaty (Osa Recording Project)

Common name:
bright-rumped attila (en); capitão-de-saíra-amarelo (pt); atila polimorfo (es); gelbbürzel-attilatyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from western and southern Mexico south to Bolivia and north-western Brazil. There is also a disjunct population in coastal south-eastern Brazil, from Pernambuco to Rio de Janeiro.

Size:
These birds are 18-19 cm long and weigh 40 g.

Habitat:
The bright-rumped attila is mostly found in moist tropical forests, but also in dry tropical forests, savannas, second growths, banana and cacao plantations and rural gardens. They tend to favour forests edges and gallery forests and occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.100 m.

Diet:
They hunt insects and spiders, also taking frogs, lizards, berries and seeds.

Breeding:
These birds breed in March-July. The nest is a bulky cup made of fibrous rootlets, rachises of compound leaves, and pieces of green fern frond or moss. It is lined with finer materials and placed among epiphytes, between buttresses or on a river or road bank, usually 0,8-3 m above the ground. The female lays 3-4 whitish, pinkish or yellowish eggs with brown to lilac spots and speckles, which she incubates alone for 14-15 days. the chicks fledge 17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 0,5-5 million individuals. The bright-rumped attila is suspected to loose 12,5-13,5% of suitable habitat within its range over the next decade, based on a model of Amazonian deforestation. Therefore, it is suspected to undergo a small decline in the near future.

Rufous-headed pygmy-tyrant

Pseudotriccus ruficeps

Photo by Nick Athanas (Antpitta)

Common name:
rufous-headed pygmy-tyrant (en); piolhinho-ruivo (pt); tyranneau à tête rousse (fr); tiranuelo cabecirrojo (es); rotkopftyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found along the Andes mountain chain, from northern Colombia south to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 11 cm long and weigh 7-9 g.

Habitat:
The rufous-headed pygmy-tyrant is mostly found in mountain rainforests, but also uses moist scrublands and occasionally visits lowland rainforests. They are usually present at altitudes of 1.850-3.350 m, but may visit lower areas down to 400 m.

Diet:
They are mainly insectivorous.

Breeding:
These birds breed in October-December. the nest is an oven-shaped structure with side entrances, made of moss and dry leaves and lined with feathers of other bird species, namely  barred fruiteaters Pipreola arcuata. It is placed on a small sapling or on a woody vine, up to 1,5 m above the ground, often near a small stream. There the female lays 2 white eggs which are incubated for 25 days. The chicks are fed by both parents but there is no information regarding the length of the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. Deforestation is believed to be causing local extinctions of this species, thus the overall population is suspected to be in decline. However, the rufous-headed pygmy-tyrant is not considered threatened at present.

Grey-capped flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

Photo by Hans Hillewaert (Wikipedia)

Common name:
grey-capped flycatcher (en); bem-te-vi-de-cabeça-cinza (pt); tyran à tête grise (fr); bienteveo cabecigrís (es); graukappen-maskentyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from Honduras south to north-western Peru, northern Bolivia and north-western Brazil.

Size:
These birds are 16,5-18 cm long and weigh 26-30 g.

Habitat:
The grey-capped flycatcher is mostly found along the edges of moist tropical forests, especially near rivers and streams. They also use second growths, plantations, pastures and arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.300 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on flying insects, but also take berries and seeds.

Breeding:
Grey-capped flycatchers breed in February-August, nesting on a large roofed structure made of stems, roots and straws, placed on a tree, scrub or building 1-13 m above the ground. It is often located near a wasp, bee or ant nest, presumably for protection. The female lays 2-4 white eggs with brown or lilac spots, which are incubated for 16-18 days. The chicks fledge 19-21 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. This species thrives in converted habitats and its population is suspected to be stable.

Torrent tyrannulet

Serpophaga cinerea

Photo by Peter Franze (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
torrent tyrannulet (en); alegrinho-das-torrentes (pt); tyranneau des torrents (fr); piojito guardarríos (es); sturzbach-kleintyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found in Costa Rica and western Panama, and along the Andes mountain chain from western Venezuela to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 9,5-11,5 cm long and weigh 8 g.

Habitat:
The torrent tyrannulet is almost exclusively found along mountain rivers and streams, preferring fast-flowing watercourses along tropical forests. They are also known to use marshes, swamp forests and river banks in lowland areas. This species is present at altitudes of 250-3.700 m.

Diet:
They are insectivorous, taking flying insects such as dragonflies, moths, mayflies and caddisflies.

Breeding:
Torrent flycatchers are predominantly monogamous and breed in January-October, varying between different parts of their range. The nest is a sturdy cup made of rootlets, fine fibres and moss, and lined with down feathers. It is placed among vegetation overhanging a stream, 0,5-4 m above the water. The female lays 2 buffy white, unmarked eggs, which she incubates alone for 17-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 17 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 5-6 weeks later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The torrent flycatcher is negatively affected by the siltation of watercourses in some areas.

Tropical kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Photo by Guy Poisson (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
tropical kingbird (en); suiriri-comum (pt); tyran mélancolique (fr); benteveo real (es); trauertyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from in Central and South America, from Mexico to northern Argentina. They are absent from the Caribbean with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago.

Size:
These birds are 18-24 cm long and weigh 32-43 g.

Habitat:
The tropical kingbird is found in a variety of habitats, including scrublands, dry savannas, forest edges, mangroves, marshes and swamps, along rivers and streams, second growths, pastures, arable land and urban areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.100 m.

Diet:
They hunt flying insects by sallying out from a perch, namely beetles, bugs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, termite alates and butterflies. They also eat fruits and berries.

Breeding:
Tropical kingbirds are monogamous and pairs can stay together for several years. They can breed all year round, varying between different parts of their range. The female builds the nest, an open cup made of dead vines, rootlets and root stems, fine woody twigs, weed stems, and dry grasses, usually located mid-story or in the canopy. The female lays 2-4 whitish to pale pink eggs with darker blotches, which she incubates alone for 15-16 days while the male defends the nest. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 18-19 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 2 weeks later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as widespread and common. The population is suspected to be increasing and forest clearance is creating new areas of favourable habitat.