The dark-faced ground tyrant is a small passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, possibly in Ecuador, and as a vagrant to Brazil.
Region
Southern South America
Typical Environment
Breeds in southern Chile and Argentina, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands, with non-breeding movements north into central Chile and Argentina and locally to Peru and Uruguay; vagrants reach Brazil and possibly Ecuador. Occupies open habitats including coastal beaches, rocky shores, windswept grasslands, steppe, and heath. Frequently uses human-altered areas such as grazed pastures and settlements near the coast. On migration and in winter it also occurs in open Andean foothills and coastal plains. It is typically associated with sparsely vegetated, windswept terrain where it can forage on the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This ground-loving tyrant flycatcher forages along open shores, grasslands, and rocky flats, often running and stopping to pick prey from the surface. Its name refers to the dark mask-like face. On the Falkland Islands it is a familiar bird along beaches where it gleans kelp flies from wrack lines. Ground-tyrants are true flycatchers but behave much like Old World wheatears in their upright stance and ground foraging.
Temperament
alert and ground-oriented
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs; small loose groups may form in winter around rich feeding areas. Nests on or near the ground among rocks, grass tussocks, or coastal banks, and is thought to be largely monogamous. Breeding occurs in the austral spring and summer, with both adults attentive near the nest site.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and tsee calls, often given from low perches or during short display flights. Song is a brief, tinkling series of notes interspersed with soft trills.
Plumage
Upright, sleek ground-tyrant with grey-brown upperparts, pale grey to whitish underparts, and a distinct dusky facial mask. Tail shows warm rufous at the base with a darker terminal band; wings are dusky with subtle pale edging.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects such as flies, beetles, and their larvae, along with spiders and other small arthropods. Along coasts it often takes kelp flies and other invertebrates concentrated in wrack lines. It may also pick small marine invertebrates like amphipods from wet sand and pebbles. Opportunistic flycatching sallies are made from ground or low rock perches.
Preferred Environment
Open coastal margins, beaches, rocky shores, and short-grass steppe where prey is visible on the surface. Also forages around human settlements, sheep pastures, and track edges. In the non-breeding season it uses open Andean foothills and coastal plains.
