Acrochordopus burmeisteri
The Rough-legged Tyrannulet (Acrochordopus burmeisteri) is a small, unassuming Neotropical flycatcher, measuring approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 in) in length and weighing around 8-12 grams. Its plumage is subtly olive-green on the upperparts, contrasting with dull yellowish-white underparts. Diagnostic field marks include dusky wings adorned with two faint pale yellowish wing-bars and a short, stubby bill. Though its name suggests otherwise, the 'rough' refers to the distinctly scaled, unfea...
Found in humid montane forest, subtropical/tropical cloud forest, and forest edge, typically at elevations between 700 to 2,500 meters (2,300-8,200 feet). It prefers areas with dense understory and ample foliage cover.
Its diet consists mainly of small insects and other arthropods, such as beetles, flies, and caterpillars. It primarily forages by gleaning prey from foliage and twigs, supplemented by occasional short sally-gleaning flights.
This diurnal species is generally observed singly or in pairs, often exhibiting a skulking demeanor within the mid-story and canopy. It is primarily an arboreal insectivore, employing a foraging strategy of gleaning small arthropods from leaves and twigs, and occasionally performing short, agile ...
The Rough-legged Tyrannulet exhibits a disjunct distribution across South America, primarily within humid montane forests. Its western population extends along the Andes, from extreme western Venezuela (Táchira, Mérida) south through the mountainous regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and norther...
Least Concern
- The name 'Rough-legged' refers to the distinct, unfeathered scales (scutes) on its tarsi, not a literal rough texture, a subtle feature rarely visible in the field. - Despite its drab appearance, its classification within the Tyrannidae family means it's a distant relative of more flamboyant fl...