The black-capped pygmy tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Central America and northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica through Panama and into western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforests, forest edges, and tall second growth with abundant vines and epiphytes. Most activity is in the understory and lower midstory where it gleans and hovers among leaves. It tolerates lightly disturbed forest but is most numerous in mature humid forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the tiniest passerines in the Americas, the black-capped pygmy tyrant is a minute, big-eyed flycatcher of humid forests. It often joins mixed-species flocks and forages with rapid, insect-like movements. Its nest is a tiny, hanging moss purse with a side entrance, carefully concealed in dense vegetation.
Temperament
active and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, often accompanying mixed-species flocks in the forest understory. Nests are tiny hanging moss purses with a side entrance, suspended from slender twigs or vines. Pairs defend small territories and attend the nest closely during the breeding period.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is high-pitched and insect-like, a thin series of tsi or see notes and brief trills. Calls are soft, rapid, and easily overlooked in background forest noise.
Plumage
Tiny, compact flycatcher with a short tail, large head, and fine bill; olive-green upperparts and paler whitish to yellow-washed underparts. Crown distinctly black, contrasting with a whitish throat and face. Two faint whitish to buff wingbars and dusky flight feathers. Feathers appear sleek and smooth with subtle olive edging.
Diet
Feeds primarily on minute insects and other arthropods such as small flies, beetles, and spiders. It snatches prey by hover-gleaning from leaf surfaces and occasionally makes short sallies to catch airborne insects. Small fruits may be taken opportunistically but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory and lower midstory of humid forest, especially along edges, vine tangles, and near gaps where small insects concentrate. Often works the outer foliage of shrubs and saplings.
