Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant

Overview

The pale-eyed pygmy tyrant (Atalotriccus pilaris) is a species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population estimated at least 500,000 mature individuals. This species is the sole member of the genus Atalotriccus, although some taxonomists place it within other genera.

Identification

• Length of 8 to 11 cm and a weight of approximately 6 g.
• Bright olive crown and nape suffused with grey, with dusky wings showing two pale olive wing bars.
• Whitish underparts with diffuse dusky streaks on the throat and upper breast, plus a lemon tinge on the lower flanks.
• Loud, dry vocalisations described as rapid nasal trills or a high, slightly descending 'prruh' trill.

Habitat

This bird has a disjunct range across Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Panama, and Venezuela. It inhabits a variety of somewhat dry landscapes, including scrublands, open woodland, savanna, and secondary forest, as well as moister deciduous woodlands and mangroves in coastal areas. It thrives in disturbed habitats such as urban forests, crops, and botanical gardens, reaching elevations of up to 1,800 m in Colombia.

Diet

The pale-eyed pygmy tyrant feeds mostly on insects and also includes small fruits in its diet. It forages singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks, from the middle levels of the forest to the canopy. Prey is taken with short upward or downward sallies from perches and by hovering briefly after short flights.

Did you know?

The only known nest of this species was an enclosed bag suspended about 1.2 m above a pool of water, made from grass, reeds, and rushes.