Hymenops perspicillatus
The Spectacled Tyrant, *Hymenops perspicillatus*, is a striking member of the Tyrannidae family, a diverse group of New World flycatchers renowned for their insectivorous habits. This species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: the male is entirely glossy black with conspicuous bright red orbital rings, which aptly give it its common name, complemented by vivid red legs. Measuring approximately 19-21 cm in length and weighing 25-35 grams, the male is an unmistakable sight in its habitat. I...
Found primarily in open grasslands, marshlands, and the edges of wetlands, often near standing water. It prefers low-elevation areas with sparse vegetation, including grazed pastures and cultivated fields.
Feeds almost exclusively on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and flies, which it captures by running and hopping on the ground or by making aerial sallies from low perches.
The Spectacled Tyrant is largely diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day and typically roosting in low vegetation or on the ground at night. Its foraging strategy is distinct, often involving terrestrial pursuits where it runs and hops across open ground to snatch insects, punctuated by sho...
The Spectacled Tyrant is an austral migrant endemic to South America, exhibiting a significant seasonal shift in its distribution. Its primary breeding range extends across southern South America, encompassing central and southern Chile, Argentina (south to Tierra del Fuego), Uruguay, and the sou...
Least Concern
- The male Spectacled Tyrant is one of the most distinctly colored flycatchers in South America, being entirely glossy black with bright red "spectacles" and legs. - Unlike many other flycatchers that primarily hawk insects from perches, this species spends a significant amount of time actively r...