Myiornis ecaudatus
The Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant, *Myiornis ecaudatus*, is a captivating member of the Tyrannidae family, renowned as one of the smallest passerines in the world and the smallest tyrant flycatcher. Measuring a mere 6.5 to 7 cm (2.6-2.8 in) in length and weighing just 4.2-4.5 grams, its diminutive size is its most striking feature. Its plumage consists of an olive-green back, a dusky crown, a conspicuous whitish supercilium, and dull yellow underparts, all culminating in an almost imperceptibly s...
This species inhabits tropical and subtropical lowland evergreen forests, forest edges, and mature secondary growth, typically found at elevations from sea level up to 1100-1400 meters. It often prefers areas near water bodies or with dense understory vegetation.
Predominantly insectivorous, its diet consists mainly of tiny arthropods such as small flies, gnats, beetles, and spiders. It forages by sally-gleaning, snatching prey from foliage or in mid-air.
The Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant is a highly active, diurnal insectivore, often detected more by its distinct vocalizations than by sight due to its minute size and quick movements. It primarily employs a "sally-gleaning" foraging strategy, perching upright on an exposed twig in the mid-story or can...
The Short-tailed Pygmy Tyrant boasts a broad and continuous distribution across the Amazon Basin and adjacent regions of South America. Its primary range extends from eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, and the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) south through eastern Ecuador, northeaster...
Least Concern
- Weighing as little as 4 grams, it's one of the lightest birds in the world and the smallest tyrant flycatcher. - Its tail is so short it's barely visible, leading to its scientific name "ecaudatus," meaning "tailless. - Despite its tiny size, its high-pitched, insect-like calls are surprisingly...