Chapman's bristle tyrant, also known as Chapman's tyrannulet, is a species of passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Highlands (Tepuis)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid subtropical to tropical montane forest on tepui slopes and adjacent foothills in southern Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Prefers mossy forest, edges, and gaps with dense foliage, often near streams and along forested ridges. Uses the midstory to canopy, making short sallies and gleaning from leaves and twigs. It is patchy and localized, following the distribution of suitable tepui habitats.
Altitude Range
600–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Chapman's bristle tyrant is a small tyrant flycatcher of the Guiana Highlands, where it keeps to mossy, humid montane forests. The name “bristle tyrant” refers to the stiff rictal bristles around its bill that help it capture insects. It often joins mixed-species flocks, moving quickly through foliage while gleaning tiny arthropods. Its thin, high-pitched calls can be easy to miss amid the forest sounds.
Temperament
active and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent short sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, and regularly accompanies mixed-species flocks in the midstory. Forages by gleaning and short sallying to pick small prey from foliage. Nesting is poorly known but likely involves a small, well-concealed cup or mossy structure placed in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tsee notes and short, insect-like trills. Vocalizations are soft and can be easily overlooked in dense forest, often delivered while foraging in flocks.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with slightly brighter edges on the wings and two pale wingbars; underparts yellowish to yellow-olive with a paler throat. Subtle facial pattern with a faint eye-ring and slightly dusky lores and auriculars. Tail and flight feathers are darker with olive edging. Bill short and fine with visible rictal bristles.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as insects and spiders, taken from leaves, twigs, and fine branch tips. Employs gleaning and short aerial sallies to capture moving prey. Occasionally may take tiny berries, but insects dominate its diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in humid montane forest, especially mossy and edge habitats, and along streams and clearings within forest. Most activity occurs in the midstory to lower canopy, often within mixed-species flocks.
