The cinnamon-breasted tody-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes (eastern slopes of Ecuador and northern Peru)
Typical Environment
Occupies the understory and edges of humid montane and foothill forests, often in thickets, vine tangles, and bamboo. It favors lightly disturbed or semi-open interiors near streams and ravines where perches are abundant. Birds stay low, typically within a few meters of the ground, and move methodically through dense cover. It may also use secondary growth adjacent to primary forest when structure remains complex.
Altitude Range
600–1700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny tyrant flycatcher of humid Andean foothill forests, it is more often heard than seen, giving thin, high-pitched notes from dense understory. Its warm cinnamon-washed breast contrasts with olive upperparts, a combination that helps confirm identification in dim forest light. Like many Andean understory specialists, it is sensitive to forest fragmentation and is a good indicator of intact habitat.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies between low perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, keeping to dense understory where it forages quietly. Pairs maintain small territories and may join mixed-species flocks intermittently. Nests are placed low and well concealed in thick vegetation; both adults participate in care of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched seeps and short trills, often delivered from a shaded perch. The song is modest in volume but carries in quiet forest, aiding detection of otherwise hidden birds.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a distinct warm cinnamon to rufous-washed breast blending to paler underparts; fine, soft-textured plumage typical of tody-tyrants.
Diet
Takes small arthropods such as flies, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Forages by short sallies from low perches and by gleaning insects from leaves and twigs. Occasionally hovers briefly to pick prey from foliage and will exploit small swarms when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory, vine tangles, and bamboo along forest edges and streamside thickets. Often remains within 1–3 m of the ground where cover is thick and perches are plentiful.
