Mecocerculus calopterus
The Rufous-winged Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus calopterus) is a captivating and energetic resident of the Andean cloud forests, measuring a diminutive 11-12 cm in length and weighing a mere 7-10 grams. Its most striking field mark, and the source of its name, are the two prominent rufous wing-bars and rufous-fringed flight feathers that contrast beautifully with its olive-green upperparts. The head and nape are a soft grayish, while the underparts transition from a whitish throat to a yellowish w...
Found primarily in humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest borders, ranging from dense primary growth to secondary woodlands. It typically occurs at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of small insects and other arthropods, which it expertly gleans from leaves and branches or catches in flight.
The Rufous-winged Tyrannulet is a highly active, diurnal species, constantly on the move through the forest canopy and mid-story. Its foraging strategy is characterized by active gleaning of insects from foliage and small branches, often accompanied by short, agile sally-strikes to snatch flying ...
The Rufous-winged Tyrannulet is a resident species found exclusively within the Andean mountain range of South America. Its distribution extends from southwestern Colombia (primarily Nariño department), through the entire length of Ecuador, and across Peru. The range then continues south into wes...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-winged Tyrannulet's name perfectly describes its most distinctive feature: the striking rufous markings on its wings. - Despite its small size, it's an incredibly active bird, constantly flitting through the canopy in search of prey. - It is a "suboscine" passerine, meaning its song ...