Drab Water Tyrant
Ochthornis littoralis
Small, well-named flycatcher of lowland rivers. Plain tan plumage with cream-colored eyebrow and dark tail. Found exclusively along the edges of rivers and lakes, often encountered in pairs. Flits short distances along the river banks, hugging the shoreline. Similar to Little Ground-Tyrant, which has a lighter belly, white tail edges, and more upright posture unlike Drab Water Tyrant.
Taxonomy
Drab water tyrants are monotypic birds from the Ochthornis littoralis subspecies. They are the sole members of Ochthornis, although this genus has sometimes been merged with the Andean chat tyrants Ochthoeca.
- Scientific name
- Ochthornis littoralis
- Authority
- (Pelzeln, 1868)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Ochthornis
Range and habitat
Drab water tyrants are found along tropical rivers, near steep banks and piles of debris, and by exposed roots, as they flourish near water. The drab water tyrant has also been spotted along other bodies of water, including wetlands, streams, creeks, and waterfalls.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The drab water tyrant is not a globally threatened bird as their global threatened classification is considered to be the least concerned. They are fairly common in their habitats of South America, but they are spread sparsely along rivers.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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