The cinnamon attila is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across lowland tropical forests of northern South America, including the Amazon Basin, the Guianas, eastern Colombia and Venezuela, and into eastern Peru and northern Bolivia. Prefers humid terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea and igapó) forests, riverine gallery forests, and well-wooded edges. Often found near watercourses, in forest edges, and in tall secondary growth. It frequently uses midstory to subcanopy perches from which it hunts by sallying or gleaning.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large, heavy-billed tyrant flycatcher, the cinnamon attila is notable for its uniform warm rufous coloration. It usually sits quietly in midstory or edge perches, making short sallies to capture prey. Despite being widespread across northern South America, it can be surprisingly inconspicuous. Its mellow, whistled calls are often the best clue to its presence.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories in forest edge and riparian habitats. Forms monogamous pairs during breeding; both sexes likely participate in nesting duties. Nest is a cup placed in a fork or suspended over water or in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives mellow, whistled phrases, often descending and repeated at intervals. Calls can be plaintive and carry through forest edges, making the bird easier to detect than to see.
Plumage
Largely uniform cinnamon-rufous with slightly darker wings and tail; plumage lacks strong streaking or patterning.
Diet
Takes large insects such as orthopterans, beetles, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. Occasionally consumes small vertebrates like tiny lizards or frogs. Also eats some fruit and berries, especially when insect prey is less abundant.
Preferred Environment
Forages from midstory to subcanopy at forest edges, in riverine corridors, and within secondary growth. Hunts by sallying from shaded perches and by gleaning prey from foliage and branches, often near water.
