Lessonia oreas
A striking and diminutive member of the tyrant-flycatcher family, Lessonia oreas, commonly known as the Andean Negrito, is a high-altitude specialist endemic to the rugged Andes. Males are instantly recognizable by their glossy black plumage contrasted dramatically with a fiery rufous rump and vent, presenting a sharp, dapper appearance against the stark puna landscape. Measuring approximately 12.5-13.5 cm (5 inches) in length and weighing 10-15 grams, they possess a relatively short tail and...
Exclusively found in high-altitude Andean wetlands, marshes, bogs, and puna grasslands, typically in semi-aquatic environments near ponds, streams, or 'bofedales' (wet meadows). It thrives at elevations generally between 3,000 and 4,500 meters (9,800-14,800 feet) above sea level.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of flying insects such as flies, beetles, and moths, as well as terrestrial invertebrates. Foraging occurs through aerial hawking, gleaning from vegetation, and active ground pursuit.
The Andean Negrito is a diurnal bird, highly active during daylight hours, often perching conspicuously on rocks or low vegetation near water. Its foraging strategy is diverse, primarily involving agile aerial hawking to capture flying insects, but it also gleans prey from emergent vegetation and...
The Andean Negrito is distributed across the high Andes of South America, primarily within four countries: Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Its breeding range spans from central Peru southward through the Bolivian Altiplano, the puna region of northern Chile, and into the northwestern provinc...
Least Concern
- The name "Negrito" is Spanish for "little black one," aptly describing the male's striking dark plumage. - Its bright rufous rump is not always visible but is a crucial flash of color for identification, especially in flight. - This species is one of the highest-dwelling tyrant-flycatchers, thr...