Muscigralla brevicauda
The Short-tailed Field Tyrant, *Muscigralla brevicauda*, is a captivating and unique member of the tyrant-flycatcher family (Tyrannidae), instantly recognizable by its exceptionally short tail, a defining feature for which it is named. Measuring a mere 10-11 cm (4-4.3 in) in length and weighing 8-12 grams, this small, compact bird presents a rather inconspicuous appearance with its greyish-brown upperparts, often tinged olive, and paler, whitish to dull yellowish underparts, frequently washed...
This species primarily inhabits arid coastal scrublands, open sandy plains, and desert environments with sparse vegetation, typically found at low elevations up to 1000 meters.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of insects and other small invertebrates, which it primarily gleans from the ground.
The Short-tailed Field Tyrant is a diurnal and predominantly terrestrial bird, spending much of its active hours scurrying across the ground. Its distinctive foraging strategy involves rapid runs and hops, often with an upright posture, punctuated by abrupt pauses to snatch insects directly from ...
The Short-tailed Field Tyrant is endemic to the arid coastal lowlands of southwestern Ecuador and western Peru, with its distribution stretching from southern Loja, Guayas, and El Oro provinces in Ecuador, southward along the entire Peruvian coast to Arequipa, and occasionally extending to Tacna....
Least Concern
- Its scientific name, *Muscigralla brevicauda*, literally means 'short-tailed mouse-like crane', a fitting description for its terrestrial, scurrying habits. - Unlike most tyrant-flycatchers that sally from perches, the Short-tailed Field Tyrant spends an exceptional amount of time foraging by r...