Mistletoe Tyrannulet
Zimmerius parvus
Small, drab tyrannulet found in the lowlands from eastern Guatemala and Belize south to extreme northwestern Colombia. Fairly inconspicuous; usually found as singles or pairs in middle to upper levels of forests, plantations, and second-growth. Typically perches fairly horizontally with the tail held slightly cocked. Feeds mainly on berries. Note the dull whitish eyebrow, small bill, and bright yellow edging on wing feathers.
Identification
The mistletoe tyrannulet is a small bird, 11 – 12 cm in length as an adult. Adults have a slaty cap, a bright white supercilium ("eyebrow"), an olive-green back and conspicuous yellow edging along the wing.
Taxonomy
The mistletoe tyrannulet was described in 1862 by the American amateur ornithologist George Newbold Lawrence under the binomial name Tyranniscus parvus. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Guatemalan tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus), but the species were split based on a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2013.
- Scientific name
- Zimmerius parvus
- Authority
- (Lawrence, 1862)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Zimmerius
Range and habitat
The mistletoe tyrannulet ranges from Guatemala and Honduras south to the extremity of northwestern Colombia. It can be found in humid evergreen forest and edge, cultivation and semi-open areas with large trees. It is a fairly common to common bird across its range.<p>This species is a very frequent caller, incessantly giving a call that has been rendered variously as peeyaik, pee-peeu or pee-yuip and sounds similar to that of the thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris), another mistletoe-loving species.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The mistletoe tyrannulet's nest is a globular mass of rootlets, mosses and other plant matter, hidden in a tangle or growth or in an epiphyte. The clutch is two whitish eggs, speckled rusty.<p>The mistletoe tyrannulet is an active forager, moving quickly about with its tail cocked as it searches for prey, mainly arthropods, amidst the foliage. It can be found as a member of a mixed-species feeding flock. The bird also takes fruit, preferentially that of mistletoes (order Santalales).
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Sitta nagaensis
Typical nuthatch; small bird with a wedge-shaped head, usually seen clambering around on trees. Gray above and white below, with a thin black line extending from the bill base to the shoulder. Deep rust red on the flanks and red-edged scaling under the tail serve to distinguish this otherwise plain species from similar nuthatches. Active and social, often following mixed flocks. Inhabits both broadleaf and coniferous forests in foothill and submontane areas. Listen for its song, a loud ringing series of trills. Calls include nasal caws, a bright-sounding “pewpewpew,” and high-pitched chittering.
Canyon Towhee
Melozone fusca
Large, stocky, long-tailed sparrow. Uniform matte brown body, with buffy throat and orange undertail coverts. Also note reddish-brown crown and messy dark streaks on upper breast (usually with a dark central spot). Occurs in deserts and dry grasslands with scattered dense shrubs. Forages primarily for seeds by running and hopping on the ground. Visits feeders. Essentially no range overlap with the very similar California Towhee; also note Canyon has reddish crown and lacks rusty tones on face.
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