D'Orbigny's chat-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the central Andes of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina. Prefers open and semi-open highland habitats including montane scrub, rocky ravines, pasture edges, and Polylepis woodland margins. Often seen around human-altered landscapes such as hedgerows and field borders. It tolerates arid slopes and patchy shrub cover, using prominent perches to scan for prey.
Altitude Range
1800–4200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small Andean tyrant flycatcher, D'Orbigny's chat-tyrant often perches upright on rocks or low shrubs and makes short sallies to catch insects. It is named in honor of the French naturalist Alcide d'Orbigny, who worked extensively in Bolivia. The species adapts well to open montane scrub, hedgerows, and edges of Polylepis woodlands.
D'Orbigny's chat-tyrant in Peru
Temperament
alert and upright
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Pairs maintain small territories in scrub or open woodland edges. Cup nests are placed low in shrubs, rocky niches, or banks; both parents help feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp ticking calls and thin, high-pitched chips. The song is a simple, brief series of clear notes or trills delivered from exposed perches, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Gray-brown upperparts with a slightly paler gray head, buff-washed underparts, and a rich rufous tail that contrasts with the body. Often shows two pale wingbars and a faint pale supercilium with a dusky eye-line. Feathers are smooth and neat, giving a clean, compact look.
Diet
Primarily hunts small insects such as flies, beetles, and caterpillars. Captures prey by flycatching from an exposed perch and by gleaning from foliage, rocks, and the ground. Occasionally takes small arthropods flushed from low vegetation and may rarely consume small berries.
Preferred Environment
Forages along shrubby slopes, rocky outcrops, field margins, and woodland edges where perches are abundant. Often uses fence posts, boulders, and shrub tops as vantage points.
