Tachuris rubrigastra
The Many-colored Rush Tyrant, *Tachuris rubrigastra*, is a diminutive yet dazzling member of the Tyrannidae family, instantly recognizable by its vibrant plumage, a rarity among New World flycatchers. Measuring a mere 10-11 cm (4-4.3 inches) in length and weighing just 6-8 grams, its small stature belies its striking appearance. Key field marks include a black crown contrasting with a brilliant scarlet-red crown patch (often concealed), a bold white supercilium, and a distinct black eye-strip...
This species is an obligate wetland inhabitant, primarily found in dense reedbeds, marshes, and vegetated shorelines of lakes and slow-moving rivers, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, the Many-colored Rush Tyrant feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including flies, beetles, and other arthropods, which it gleans from aquatic vegetation or captures in short aerial pursuits.
Active during daylight hours, the Many-colored Rush Tyrant spends its time foraging and navigating with remarkable agility within the dense tangles of reeds and rushes. Its foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects from the vegetation, often performing acrobatic stretches and short, q...
The Many-colored Rush Tyrant boasts a wide, though disjunct, distribution across South America. Its primary breeding range extends from central and southern Peru, across Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and into central and southern Chile, and much of Argentina. Several subspecies inhabit distinct are...
Least Concern
- Despite its small size, it is one of the most vividly colored tyrant-flycatchers in the world, truly living up to its 'Many-colored' name. - Its brilliant scarlet crown patch is often concealed, only revealed during displays or when the bird is agitated. - This species is known for its incredib...