Laniocera hypopyrra
The Cinereous Mourner, *Laniocera hypopyrra*, is a captivating and often elusive suboscine passerine belonging to the Tityridae family, which also includes tityras and becards. Measuring approximately 19.5-20.5 cm (7.7-8.1 inches) in length and weighing around 45-50 grams, this medium-sized bird exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in plumage, though both sexes share a rather cryptic nature. Males typically present in two distinct color morphs: a 'cinereous' or grayish-brown form and a 'rufous...
Primarily inhabits humid, lowland evergreen rainforests, often favoring secondary growth, forest edges, and clearings, typically at elevations up to 1000 meters.
Feeds primarily on arthropods, including various insects and spiders, which it catches through short sallying flights or by gleaning; it also supplements its diet with small fruits.
The Cinereous Mourner is a largely solitary and inconspicuous bird, spending its days silently perched in the mid-story of the forest undergrowth, making it more often heard than seen. Its foraging strategy involves short, agile sallies from a perch to snatch insects from foliage or air, and it a...
The Cinereous Mourner boasts a wide distribution across the Amazon Basin and adjacent regions of South America. Its extensive breeding range spans from southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru, eastward across northern Bolivia, and throughout much of Brazil, including parts of the Atl...
Least Concern
- The Cinereous Mourner is a 'suboscine' passerine, meaning its vocal learning abilities are innate rather than learned, leading to highly structured and consistent songs. - Despite its name, which suggests a drab appearance, males possess a vibrant, fiery yellow-orange patch on their lower back,...