Hemitriccus minimus
Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant, *Hemitriccus minimus*, is a diminutive and often inconspicuous passerine, holding its place as one of the smallest members of the extensive Tyrannidae family. Measuring a mere 9-10 cm in length and weighing between 5-7 grams, its petite size is a defining characteristic. Its plumage is generally subtle, featuring an olive-green back, a contrasting pale yellowish belly, and a dull gray head, often punctuated by a faint pale loral spot. Distinctive yet subtle field marks i...
Found in humid montane and foothill forests, primarily within the dense understory and forest edges, typically at elevations between 500 to 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small arthropods gleaned from foliage or captured in short, agile aerial sallies.
This diurnal species is an active, yet often secretive, inhabitant of the forest's lower strata. Foraging is characterized by short, rapid sallies from a hidden perch to snatch insects from the underside of leaves or in mid-air, often executed with quick, almost jerky movements. It frequently ass...
Zimmer's Tody-Tyrant is endemic to the humid eastern slopes of the Andes, with its primary range extending through northern Peru and southeastern Ecuador. In Peru, it is found in the departments of Amazonas, San Martín, La Libertad, and Huánuco. Its distribution in Ecuador is more localized, occu...
Least Concern
- Named after American ornithologist John T. Zimmer, who collected the type specimen. - At an average length of 9-10 cm, it is one of the smallest birds in its family, the Tyrannidae. - Its dull coloration and secretive nature mean it is far more often detected by its distinctive vocalizations th...