Muscisaxicola cinereus
The Cinereous Ground Tyrant (Muscisaxicola cinereus) is a captivating, medium-sized passerine, measuring 18-19 cm (7.1-7.5 inches) in length and weighing approximately 27-38 grams (1.0-1.3 oz). Its plumage is subtly elegant: an overall ashy-gray upperbody transitions to a clean white throat and pale, often whitish, underparts. Distinctive field marks include dark primary feathers contrasting with the gray, a fine black bill, and notable reddish-orange legs, which are often the first feature t...
Primarily inhabits open, high-altitude puna grasslands, barren rocky slopes, and scree fields in the Andes, often found near marshy areas or streams, typically between 2,500 to 4,500 meters (8,200-14,760 feet) above sea level.
Consists almost exclusively of various terrestrial and aerial insects, including beetles, flies, ants, and grasshoppers, which it primarily catches by gleaning from the ground or making short aerial sallies from low perches.
This species is predominantly diurnal, spending its days actively foraging on the ground or from low perches such as rocks or tussocks. It exhibits a distinctive "run-and-snatch" or "sally-glean" foraging strategy, scurrying across the ground to capture insects or making short, agile flights. Ter...
The Cinereous Ground Tyrant is found exclusively in the Andes of South America, with a broad distribution spanning from south-central Peru, through Bolivia, and into central Chile and western Argentina. Its breeding range encompasses high-elevation puna and altiplano ecosystems, typically above 3...
Least Concern
- The name "Cinereous" means ashy-gray, perfectly describing its subtle, elegant plumage. - It's an altitudinal migrant, moving to slightly lower elevations during the harsh Andean winter to find food and milder conditions. - Unlike most flycatchers, which perch high in trees, the Cinereous Groun...