Bright-rumped Attila

Overview

The bright-rumped attila, also known as the polymorphic attila, is a small passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is notable for its high variability in plumage across its range.

Identification

• Attila spadiceus is a large tyrant flycatcher measuring approximately 18 cm in length with a big head and an upright stance.
• Plumage features an olive-green head streaked with black, a chestnut or olive back, and a bright yellow rump.
• The wings are dark brown with two pale wing bars, while the underparts show a variably streaked yellow breast and white belly.
• Distinctive vocalisations include a loud 'beat-it, beat-it' and a plaintive 'ooo weery weery weery weery woo', often delivered without movement.

Habitat

This species breeds from northwestern Mexico to western Ecuador, Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil, as well as on Trinidad. It inhabits lowlands up to 2,100 metres above sea level in forests, second growth, pastures, plantations with trees, and shady gardens. The bird is common and demonstrates a considerable tolerance for habitat destruction.

Diet

An active and aggressive forager, it consumes insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, fruits, and seeds. It typically hunts alone by pursuing prey on foot or attacking in short sallies, and will also follow army ant columns.

Did you know?

The characteristic song of Central American populations has been analysed so thoroughly that a finite-state machine has been developed to simulate its structure, which features a variable number of 'weerys' that may become 'weery'os' and often ends in a 'woo-whit'.