Drab Water Tyrant

Overview

The drab water tyrant (Ochthornis littoralis) is a species of tyrant flycatcher found in the western Amazon Basin. It is the only member of its genus and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length 13 to 13.5 cm with a weight of approximately 13 g.
• Plumage is dark sandy brown on the crown, medium sandy brown on the back, and dusky brown on the wings and tail, featuring a faint whitish supercilium.
• Possesses a dark iris, blackish bill, and blackish legs and feet.
• Song consists of a rapid excited series of rattling chatters described as 'chip-chew treeee-chew', while calls are weak whistles like 'fwoit' or 'fweet'.

Habitat

Restricted to the western Amazon Basin across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It inhabits areas near water, particularly along steep banks of large rivers and on islands where it perches on exposed roots and debris. Elevation ranges from sea level to 600 m, with specific upper limits varying by country.

Diet

Feeds primarily on insects, though specific details are lacking. It forages singly or in pairs, typically perching about 1 m above the water to make short sallies for hawking prey in mid-air or capturing it on the ground.

Did you know?

In Peru, the species constructs an open cup nest from grass, rootlets, and mud, often placing it on a ledge of a steep mud bank under a log or overhang approximately 3 m above the water.