The bronze-olive pygmy tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains and adjacent Chocó region
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama (Darién) into western Colombia and along both slopes of the Andes through Ecuador to northern Peru. Prefers humid montane and foothill cloud forests with dense understory, often in mossy zones and bamboo thickets. Frequently found along forest edges, ravines, and shaded riparian corridors. Sensitive to heavy deforestation but may persist in well-vegetated secondary growth near primary forest.
Altitude Range
600–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny, shy flycatcher of humid montane forests, the bronze-olive pygmy tyrant often keeps to dense understory where it can be hard to see. It typically forages by short sallies and careful gleaning from mossy branches and bamboo. Its high, thin calls are more often heard than the bird is seen. It belongs to the tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae), a large Neotropical family.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or with a dependent juvenile; often accompanies mixed-species flocks at lower strata. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation; both parents likely participate in care. Maintains small territories in suitable understory habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseet and see notes, often in short series. Song can be a delicate, slightly descending trill delivered from a concealed perch, most active at dawn and in overcast conditions.
Plumage
Compact, big-headed pygmy-tyrant with overall bronze-olive upperparts and dusky-olive, subtly streaked underparts. Wings show faint buffy edging and narrow wingbars; tail short and rounded. Feathers often appear slightly fluffy in the cool, humid understory.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, and spiders. Captures prey by short sallies from low perches and by careful gleaning on mossy branches, leaves, and bamboo. May occasionally take tiny berries when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the lower to mid-understory of humid montane forest, especially in mossy areas and Chusquea bamboo. Often works along shaded trails, ravines, and forest edges where insect activity is concentrated.
