Little Ground-Tyrant
Syrtidicola fluviatilis
Small tan flycatcher of river beaches; terrestrial, or perches on low shrubs. Tan above, lighter whitish below, with a black tail with white outer tail feathers. Overlaps with the similar and often more common Drab Water Tyrant. Compared to that species, Little Ground-Tyrant has lighter underparts, no facial pattern (unlike the black eye line and pale eyebrow of Drab Water Tyrant) and white outer tail feathers contrasting with black inner tail feathers (as opposed to uniformly brown). They often flush and move in low flight along river banks, exposing their diagnostic tail patterns. Prefers wide, open beaches and mudflats along rivers to steep river banks. Known to wander when not breeding, when it can be found in a variety of open habitats.
Identification
The little ground tyrant (Syrtidicola fluviatilis) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, possibly in Colombia, and as a vagrant in Ecuador.
Taxonomy
The little ground tyrant was formerly placed in the genus Muscisaxicola. A genetic study published in 2020 found that it was deeply divergent from other members of Muscisaxicola and was instead sister to the yellow-browed tyrant in the genus Satrapa. The little ground tyrant was therefore moved to a newly erected genus Syrtidicola.
- Scientific name
- Syrtidicola fluviatilis
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1866)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Syrtidicola
Range and habitat
The little ground tyrant is found in the southwest Amazon Basin at higher elevations in the Basins river headwaters. The largest area of range is in the east extending into central and northwest Bolivia, and east of the Madeira River; this entire south Amazon Basin–Bolivian region is much of the headwater tributaries to the Madeira.<p>From central Bolivia, the range extends north through Amazonian Peru, (only crossing the southwest border areas of Brazil's Amazonas state), and extends downstream on the Marañón River and Amazon River down a riverine wildlife corridor approaching the Juruá River confluence.<p>Disjunct range locales occur in Ecuador; the species has a restricted-range for the south border region of Colombia along the north shore of the Marañón River, about 150 km.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Speckled Pigeon
Columba guinea
Big, dark pigeon with white spots across the shoulder and a big red patch of bare skin around the eye. In flight, shows a gray tail band and rump. Found in many different open habitats, and nests in towns and cities and on cliffs. Only absent from thick forest. Common vocalizations are a “rrrour” call and an accelerating series of hoots. Somewhat similar to Rameron Pigeon, but largely absent from forest, and shows much larger wing spots and red rather than yellow bare facial skin.
White-shouldered Antshrike
Thamnophilus aethiops
Shy antshrike found in understory of lowland and foothill rainforest. Male is dark gray or black; he also has small white dots on the shoulder and a white line at the bend of the wing, but these features are not always evident in the field. Female is plain brown; on the western edge of the range, she also has a black face, throat, and tail. Usually first detected by voice: song is a soft series of evenly spaced, nasal caws.
Northern Black-Flycatcher
Melaenornis edolioides
A slim, long-tailed all-black flycatcher with a dark eye. Found in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas. Single birds or pairs sit out on conspicuous perches, sometimes quite low. Very similar to Southern Black-Flycatcher, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and Northern lacks gloss in the black plumage. Distinguished from drongos by the slimmer bill and dark brown eye. Could be confused with certain black cuckooshrikes or boubous, but has a more vertical posture, and sits motionless for much longer periods. Not very vocal, but does have a pretty song of various trills, wheezes, and whistles given with long pauses between phrases.
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