Fluvicola albiventer
The Black-backed Water Tyrant (Fluvicola albiventer) is a strikingly elegant member of the Tyrannidae family, instantly recognizable by its crisp, pied plumage. This small flycatcher typically measures around 12.5-13 cm (approx. 5 inches) in length, featuring a pure white belly, breast, and a distinctive broad white supercilium that contrasts sharply with its glossy black crown, back, wings, and tail. Its dark eyes, black bill, and legs complete the monochromatic scheme, making it stand out a...
This species thrives along the margins of freshwater wetlands, slow-moving rivers, ponds, and marshy areas, often favoring emergent vegetation or exposed perches near water. It is typically found at low to moderate elevations, rarely exceeding 1,000 meters.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of small insects and other invertebrates, captured in flight or gleaned from vegetation close to water. Aerial hawking is their primary foraging method.
Black-backed Water Tyrants are highly active and often conspicuous, spending their days sallying for insects from low perches over water or dense reeds. They exhibit a characteristic tail-wagging or flicking motion while perched, a common trait among many flycatchers. Foraging involves short, agi...
The Black-backed Water Tyrant is widely distributed across central and southern South America. Its breeding range extends from southern Brazil and eastern Bolivia through Paraguay and Uruguay, south into Argentina. In Argentina, it breeds primarily in the northern and central regions, with some p...
Least Concern
- Despite its 'tyrant' name, this species is a relatively small and elegant flycatcher, not known for aggressive behavior towards other birds. - Its sharp black and white plumage provides excellent camouflage amongst the dappled light and shadows of its watery habitats. - This bird is an 'obligat...