Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet

Tyranniscus uropygialis

The Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet (*Tyranniscus uropygialis*) is a diminutive and highly active songbird of the high Andes, known for its distinctive tawny rump patch. Measuring a mere 9.5-10.5 cm in length and weighing 7-9 grams, it exhibits a greenish-olive upperparts plumage, contrasting with a brighter yellow belly and throat, and dark wings adorned with two yellowish wing-bars. A subtle pale supercilium and a dark bill with a pale lower mandible base further aid in its identification amidst th...

Habitat

Found exclusively in high-altitude humid montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, typically between 2,000 and 3,500 meters (occasionally ranging 1,800-3,800 m).

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage or snatched in short aerial sallies. Occasionally consumes small berries.

Behavior

The Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet is a highly active, diurnal insectivore, constantly on the move through the canopy and subcanopy. It often forages alone or in pairs, but is a frequent and eager participant in mixed-species flocks, particularly outside the breeding season, moving rapidly and acrobatic...

Range

The Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet is a resident species distributed along the humid eastern slopes of the Andes mountains in South America. Its range extends from southern Colombia, through the highlands of Ecuador and Peru, and south into central Bolivia. This species is an elevational specialist, pri...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- Despite its small size, the Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet is an agile aerialist, capable of quick sallies to catch insects mid-flight. - Its namesake tawny rump patch is often the most distinctive field mark, especially when viewed from behind. - This species is a high-altitude specialist, rarely ven...

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