Tepui Redstart

Myioborus castaneocapilla

Small, active bird of highland forests. Generally yellow below and grayish above with a chestnut cap and white outer tail feathers. White eyering is more extensive in birds from western part of range, where it forms distinct spectacles. Found only in forests of the tepui highlands (above 1000 m), where typically encountered singly or in pairs. Forages actively, gleaning insects from leaves and bark or making acrobatic sallies to catch them mid-air. Usually keeps tail partially spread, revealing white outer feathers. Song is a rapid, chippering trill, recalling Tropical Parula but without strongly accented notes, and dropping slightly in pitch. Told from Slate-throated Redstart by entirely yellow underparts (including throat) and more prominent chestnut crown.

Identification

Small, active bird of highland forests. Generally yellow below and grayish above with a chestnut cap and white outer tail feathers. White eyering is more extensive in birds from western part of range, where it forms distinct spectacles. Found only in forests of the tepui highlands (above 1000 m), where typically encountered singly or in pairs. Forages actively, gleaning insects from leaves and bark or making acrobatic sallies to catch them mid-air. Usually keeps tail partially spread, revealing white outer feathers. Song is a rapid, chippering trill, recalling Tropical Parula but without strongly accented notes, and dropping slightly in pitch. Told from Slate-throated Redstart by entirely yellow underparts (including throat) and more prominent chestnut crown.

Taxonomy

Genus: Myioborus; Family: Parulidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Myioborus castaneocapilla
Authority
(Cabanis, 1849)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Parulidae
Genus
Myioborus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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