Short-tailed Field Tyrant

Muscigralla brevicauda

A small, oddly-shaped flycatcher that inhabits deserts and other arid habitats. It is found mainly west of the Andes, but ranges up into interior valleys in a few areas. Short tail, long legs, and stout bill give this bird a top-heavy appearance; pale wingbars and facial markings also help separate it from other drab species like Grayish Miner. Chestnut-and-buff rump is usually hidden by the wings, and yellow crown patch is almost never visible in the field. Largely terrestrial, but also regularly sits up on bushes, rocks, posts, and other exposed perches.

Identification

The short-tailed field tyrant (Muscigralla brevicauda) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Ecuador, Peru, and as a vagrant to Chile and Colombia.

Taxonomy

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

Scientific name
Muscigralla brevicauda
Authority
d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Muscigralla

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Glossy Flowerpiercer

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