The crested doradito is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela, possibly in French Guiana, and as a vagrant to Trinidad.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Venezuela and the Guianas south through Brazil and Bolivia to Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern–central Argentina, with vagrants to Trinidad and possible presence in French Guiana. It inhabits lowland freshwater wetlands, especially dense reedbeds, cattail marshes, and vegetated margins of lagoons and oxbow lakes. The species favors stands of tall emergent vegetation over shallow water and flooded grasslands with scattered rushes. It can also use artificial wetlands such as rice fields and irrigation canals when suitable cover is present.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small marsh-dwelling tyrant flycatcher, the crested doradito often stays hidden in dense reeds and shows its namesake crest when excited or alarmed. It relies heavily on tall emergent plants like cattails and reeds, making it sensitive to wetland drainage and burning. Despite being widespread, it is patchy and easily overlooked due to its secretive habits.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering sallies over reeds
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, moving mouse-like through dense emergent vegetation. Nests are placed low in reeds or rushes above water, built from fine grasses and fibers. Territorial during breeding, with males singing from exposed reed tops early in the day.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched sequence of buzzy trills and sharp notes given from reed tops. Calls include dry chips and soft tiks used while moving through cover.
Plumage
Small, compact flycatcher with bright yellow underparts and olive to olive-brown upperparts; short tail and an erectable spiky crest on a darker crown. Wings are dusky with faint edging; overall appearance is clean and saturated below with more muted, mossy tones above.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects such as flies, beetles, and aquatic or semi-aquatic arthropods, gleaned from reed stems and leaves. It also makes short sallies to snatch flying insects above the water surface. Occasional spiders and other small invertebrates are taken from within dense vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense cattails, reeds, rushes, and sedges, often just above the waterline. Frequently works along the edges of channels and pools where emergent plants are thick but offer small openings for sallying.
