Buff-throated Purpletuft

Overview

The buff-throated purpletuft (Iodopleura pipra) is a small, endangered bird endemic to Brazil, belonging to the family Tityridae. It exists as two subspecies and is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 8.7 to 10.5 cm in length and weighs between 9.6 and 10.5 g.
• Features a pale gray supercilium, a dusky line through the eye, and a broken white eye-ring on a gray face.
• Characterised by a cinnamon-buff throat and upper breast, mottled gray sides, and a white belly.
• Males possess a small tuft of purple feathers on the upper flank, while females lack this feature.

Habitat

Found in the Atlantic Forest along the coast of eastern and southeastern Brazil, inhabiting primary and secondary forests, cocoa plantations with forest overcover, and clearings with trees. The species is generally found at elevations below 1,000 m.

Diet

Primarily feeds on the berries of mistletoe, though it also consumes other fruits and insects. Foraging occurs in the forest canopy, where insects are taken above the canopy and fruit is plucked either while perched or during a sally.

Did you know?

The species' nest is a tiny cup constructed almost entirely from lichens, saddled on a horizontal branch and built solely by the female. Each clutch contains only one egg.