The black-capped tyrannulet is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in the northern and central Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, chiefly in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. It favors cloud-forest edges, secondary growth with tall trees, and elfin forest, often near gaps and along ridges. The species is most frequently encountered in the mid to upper canopy, but may descend to edges and clearings while foraging. It is generally sedentary, with local movements tracking food availability and weather along elevational gradients.
Altitude Range
1200–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny Andean tyrant flycatcher, the black-capped tyrannulet is best recognized by its contrasting black cap and pale eyebrow. It is an active foliage-gleaner that often joins mixed-species flocks in cloud-forest edges and canopy. Its high, thin calls can carry through the forest even when the bird stays concealed among leaves.
Temperament
active and somewhat inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between perches
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small family groups and readily joins mixed-species canopy flocks. Nests are typically placed in concealed foliage or suspended from fine twigs, with both sexes involved in territorial defense. Displays subtle tail-flicking and perch-gleaning behaviors while moving through the canopy.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a high, thin series of tseet or tsee notes, sometimes accelerating into a short trill. Calls are sharp and penetrating, aiding detection in dense foliage. Song phrases are repeated from elevated perches during early morning.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with two narrow whitish wingbars and paler olive to yellowish underparts. Distinct black cap contrasts with a pale whitish to yellowish supercilium and dusky ear coverts. Fine, neat feathering gives a clean, compact look typical of tyrannulets.
Diet
Primarily takes small arthropods such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars, and tiny spiders, gleaned from leaves and twigs. It frequently hover-gleans at leaf tips and occasionally sallies short distances to snatch flying insects. Minor fruit consumption may occur when insect prey is scarce, but it remains chiefly insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid to upper canopy of cloud forest and at forest edges, especially along gaps and sunlit foliage. It also uses second-growth and shrubby borders where insect densities are high.
