Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant

Cnemarchus erythropygius

Attractive gray and chestnut flycatcher with obvious white wing patches. It inhabits high mountains at or above treeline, in open areas where there are only scattered trees and bushes. Sits conspicuously on treetops, posts, wires, and other elevated perches, from which it sallies out to chase insects. It gives a querulous whistle that can be heard over long distances. A scarce bird, but its preference for open habitats and its conspicuous behavior can make it fairly easy to track down if one is present in the area.

Identification

The adult red-rumped bush tyrant is about 23 cm (9 in) long. It has a narrow beak and distinctive colouring. The fore crown is white dappled with grey, and the hind-crown and nape are grey. There is an indistinct pale streak above the eye. The back, mantle, wings and tail are slatey-brown, with the rump and base of the outer tail feathers rufous. There are two white streaks on the wings. The throat is streaked in grey and white, the breast is grey and the belly rufous.

Taxonomy

Genus: Cnemarchus; Family: Tyrannidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Cnemarchus erythropygius
Authority
(Sclater, PL, 1853)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Cnemarchus

Range and habitat

The red-rumped bush tyrant is native to mountainous regions in South America. Its range includes the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and in the Andes in Norte de Santander Department and Cundinamarca State in northern and central Colombia, and the mountains of Ecuador, eastern Peru and western Bolivia. It occurs mostly in open areas with scattered trees and shrubs, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 m (9,800 and 13,100 ft).

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Lowland Akalat

Lowland Akalat

Sheppardia cyornithopsis

A small shy akalat found in the lower levels of tall forests, often in dark shady areas near water. Note the reddish-brown back and wings, the gray face, and the bright red-orange chest contrasting with a white belly. Almost always found in lowland forest, but a few local populations are found higher up in the foothills. Within its range, most likely to be confused with Forest Robin, but note Lowland Akalat’s plain gray face and distinctive vocalizations. Song is a series of clear, melancholy whistles given with slight pauses in between, “wheeer, gowheer,” as well as faster, more resonant and metallic series of whistles.

Plain Parakeet

Plain Parakeet

Brotogeris tirica

Small and uniformly green parakeet with a long pointed tail and a pinkish bill and feet. In flight, the blue outer wing feathers and tail tips are visible. Usually seen in noisy groups foraging in a variety of habitats including the canopy and edge of humid forests, plantations, and agricultural landscapes. Common in and around cities.

Bornean Spiderhunter

Bornean Spiderhunter

Arachnothera everetti

Medium-sized spiderhunter with an olive back and streaked gray underparts. Inhabits lowland and submontane forests and forest edges, where it feeds primarily on nectar in the understory; favors blossoms of banana and ginger. Very similar in appearance to Gray-breasted Spiderhunter; range overlap is poorly understood but appears to be minimal. Look for Bornean’s more intensely streaked underparts and slightly larger size. Long-billed Spiderhunter can show some streaking on the breast but is much larger and longer-billed, with yellowish underparts. Sometimes noisy, giving loud raspy nasal calls.

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