Lophotriccus pileatus
The Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus) is a captivating, minute passerine bird, typically measuring a mere 9.5-10.5 cm (3.7-4.1 inches) in length and weighing just 6.5-8.5 grams. Its most distinctive feature is a prominent, often raised, greyish crown adorned with black scale-like markings, giving it its evocative common name. The upperparts are a bright olive-green, contrasting with whitish to pale yellow underparts, which may show faint streaking on the breast. Two distinct ...
This species primarily inhabits humid tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and mature secondary growth, typically from lowlands up to 1800 meters (occasionally 2000 meters) in elevation.
Mainly insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small arthropods including flies, beetles, small caterpillars, and spiders, primarily caught in flight or gleaned from foliage.
The Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant is a highly active, diurnal bird, constantly on the move through the forest understory and mid-story. Its primary foraging strategy involves short, acrobatic sallies from slender perches to snatch small insects from the air (hawking) or gleaning them from the unders...
The Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant has an extensive distribution across Central and South America, existing as a resident species throughout its range with no significant migratory movements. Its northernmost extent includes Costa Rica and Panama, extending southward through Colombia, Venezuela, and ...
Least Concern
- The Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant is one of the smallest passerine birds in its extensive Neotropical range, often dwarfed by much larger insects. - Its distinctive scale-like crest is not always visible; it can raise and lower it, often doing so when agitated or during foraging. - Despite its tin...