Masked Water Tyrant

Overview

The masked water tyrant (Fluvicola nengeta) is a small bird in the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. It is a year-round resident found across parts of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Identification

• Measures 14.5 to 15 cm in length with mostly white plumage.
• Features a distinctive black stripe through the eye (the 'mask'), a brownish-gray back, and entirely white underparts.
• Possesses black wings, a black tail with white feather tips, a black bill, and black legs and feet.
• Vocalisations include a high, sharp peep in Brazil, a sharp 'kirt!' in Ecuador, and a song described as a repeated, soft 'dewdelewdel-dewdel'.

Habitat

This species inhabits somewhat open shrublands near freshwater bodies, favouring marshy areas, rice fields, and the banks of ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. It has increasingly been observed in urban and suburban parks in Brazil and shows a strong tolerance for converted habitats. The nominate subspecies typically occurs at elevations from sea level to about 300 m, while the F. n. atripennis subspecies is mostly found below 800 m in Ecuador.

Diet

The masked water tyrant feeds primarily on insects. It usually forages singly or in pairs, often near or on the ground and on floating or emergent vegetation. Prey is captured using short sallies, quick runs, and upward leaps.

Did you know?

The genus name Fluvicola is derived from Latin, combining fluvius meaning 'river' and -cola meaning 'dweller', literally describing the bird as a river-dweller.