Long-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Overview

The long-crested pygmy tyrant (Lophotriccus eulophotes) is a small passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is a year-round resident of the southwestern Amazon Basin, specifically found in western Brazil, southeastern Peru, and far northern Bolivia.

Identification

• Measures 10 to 10.5 cm in length and weighs 6.5 to 8 g, with identical plumage across sexes.
• Adults possess a distinctive long black crest with gray edges that can be erected and fanned, along with whitish lores on an olive face.
• Underparts are whitish with gray streaks, while the back and wings are olive and dusky, showing very weak wing bars.
• Song consists of an accelerating and falling series of ringing notes described as 'pit-pit-pit-pit-piteeeeerrr'.

Habitat

This species inhabits forests along rivers in the southwestern Amazon Basin, favouring river edges, gaps created by fallen trees, and stands of Guadua bamboo. It also occurs in mature secondary forest, particularly near roads, and is restricted to elevations below 400 m.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on insects, foraging between 4 and 10 m above the forest floor. It captures prey by executing short upward sallies from perches to snatch insects from leaves and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

The population size of this species is currently unknown but is believed to be decreasing due to future threats such as mining and oil extraction. Despite these risks, it remains classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it is noted as 'uncommon to fairly common, but local'.