The brown-backed chat-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the northern and central Andes from Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to western Bolivia. It favors open montane habitats such as shrublands, páramo edges, elfin-forest margins, and Polylepis woodland. Often seen on rocky slopes, pastures with scattered bushes, and along ravines and roadsides. It tolerates human-modified landscapes at high elevations and can appear around settlements.
Altitude Range
2200–4400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A high-Andean flycatcher, the brown-backed chat-tyrant often perches upright on rocks or low shrubs and makes short sallies to snatch insects. It frequently flicks its tail and wings, a helpful field clue in windy páramo or puna habitats. It may nest in earthen banks, rocky crevices, or human structures near montane villages.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies from exposed perches
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, defending small feeding territories. During the breeding season, pairs remain close and nest in crevices, banks, or sheltered ledges. Outside breeding, it may loosely associate with other small passerines along edges but rarely forms large flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high series of short phrases and trills delivered from an exposed perch. Calls include sharp, metallic ticks and dry chips, often given repeatedly while tail-flicking.
Plumage
Upperparts uniformly warm brown with contrasting paler underparts; throat whitish to pale gray and breast grayish with buffy flanks. Shows two subtle buff wingbars and a narrow, pale supercilium. Tail often rufous-toned and slightly rounded; perches upright, accentuating the compact, chat-like silhouette.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying and ground-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, and moths. It uses perch-and-sally tactics, darting out to grab prey in midair or dropping to the ground for quick picks. Occasionally gleans from foliage or rocks and may take small spiders and other arthropods. Fruit is rarely, if ever, taken.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along open edges, rocky outcrops, and bushy slopes where perches provide clear vantage points. Often forages near forest margins, Polylepis stands, and páramo shrubs, and can utilize fenceposts and rooftops in highland hamlets.
