The crowned slaty flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in every mainland South American country except Suriname though only as a vagrant to Chile, French Guiana, and Venezuela. There are also single records of it in Panama and the U.S. state of Louisiana.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Widespread across central and southern South America, inhabiting open woodlands, gallery forests, savannas, and riparian corridors. It breeds mainly from Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina, and moves northward in the austral winter into Amazonian Brazil and adjacent regions. It occurs in every mainland South American country except Suriname, with only vagrant records in Chile, French Guiana, and Venezuela; there are also rare records from Panama and even Louisiana, USA. It favors forest edges, river margins, wetlands such as the Pantanal, and lightly disturbed habitats including pastures with scattered trees.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This species is a large tyrant flycatcher and the sole member of its genus. It appears mostly slaty gray but can raise a striking orange-and-black crown when excited or displaying. It is an austral migrant, breeding in southern South America and moving northward in the nonbreeding season. Often seen perched high and sallying out to catch flying insects.
Temperament
alert and conspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid sallies from high exposed perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs outside the breeding season, occasionally joining loose mixed foraging groups. During breeding, pairs defend a territory and build an open cup nest on a horizontal branch or in a fork in a tree. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, carrying chips and chatters, interspersed with thin whistles. During display, calls may intensify and the crest is often raised, giving a more emphatic series of notes.
