Muscipipra vetula
The Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant (Muscipipra vetula) is an elegant and distinctive passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length, with a significant portion attributed to its striking tail, this species presents a sleek silhouette. Its upperparts are a uniform dark slate-grey, contrasting sharply with a pure white belly and flanks. A prominent black cap and broad white supercilium that extends behind the eye are key i...
This species primarily inhabits semi-open woodlands, forest edges, clearings, gallery forests, and secondary growth, often near water bodies. It typically occurs at elevations from sea level up to 1500 meters.
The diet of the Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant consists almost exclusively of insects, which are predominantly caught in flight through aerial hawking from an open perch.
The Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant is a diurnal, active insectivore, typically observed perching conspicuously on exposed branches or power lines. Its primary foraging strategy involves aerial hawking; it makes rapid, agile sallies from a perch to snatch flying insects mid-air, often returning to the s...
The Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant is a resident species distributed across eastern and central South America. Its primary range includes eastern Brazil, extending from the southeastern states (such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo) south through Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Ri...
Least Concern
- The Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant is the only species in its genus, *Muscipipra*, making it a monotypic genus. - Its exceptionally long, deeply forked tail can account for nearly half of its total body length, especially the outer feathers. - Despite its relatively small size, it is a highly agile f...