Zimmerius gracilipes
The Slender-footed Tyrannulet, *Zimmerius gracilipes*, is a diminutive and active member of the Tyrannidae family, characteristic of the Andean foothills and lower montane regions. Measuring a mere 10-11 cm (approximately 4 inches) in length and weighing 7-9 grams, it is among the smallest tyrant flycatchers in its range. Its plumage is subtly elegant, featuring olive-green upperparts that fade to a paler yellowish-olive on the sides and flanks, contrasting with a distinctly pale yellow belly...
Found primarily in humid evergreen montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, typically at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,000 meters.
Mainly insectivorous, feeding on small arthropods gleaned from foliage and branches, supplemented occasionally with small berries or fruits.
This diurnal tyrannulet is highly active in the forest canopy and mid-story, constantly flitting among foliage. Its primary foraging strategy involves sally-gleaning, where it darts out from a perch to snatch insects from leaves or small branches, often hovering briefly before returning to its pe...
The Slender-footed Tyrannulet is a resident species distributed along the eastern slopes of the Andes in South America. Its breeding and year-round range extends from southern Colombia, particularly in departments like Meta, Caquetá, and Putumayo. It continues southward through eastern Ecuador, c...
Least Concern
- The 'slender-footed' epithet (gracilipes) directly refers to its notably delicate and slender tarsi (lower legs) and feet, a distinguishing characteristic within its genus. - Despite its small size, it often joins large mixed-species foraging flocks, moving rapidly through the canopy with other...