The fulvous-crowned scrub tyrant, or tawny-crowned pygmy-tyrant, is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Found from Venezuela and Colombia south through Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay into northern and central Argentina. It favors dry to semi-arid scrub, open woodland edges, cerrado and chaco habitats, and caatinga-like thorn thickets. Often occurs along roadsides, pastures with scattered shrubs, and riparian scrub. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance and uses secondary growth and hedgerows.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny tyrant flycatcher is often detected by its quick tail flicks and thin, high-pitched calls as it forages low in scrub. Despite its small size, it ranges widely across South America and readily uses human-altered edges and thorny hedgerows. The warm tawny crown is a key field mark that sets it apart from similar small tyrannulets.
Temperament
active but somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups. Maintains small territories during the breeding season and may join mixed-species flocks outside of it. Nests are small cups placed low in shrubs or thorny bushes; clutch size is typically two.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song consists of thin, high-pitched trills and short series of buzzy notes delivered from low perches. Calls are sharp, insect-like tsip notes used for contact while foraging.
Plumage
Small, compact tyrannid with olive-brown upperparts and paler buffy underparts; crown distinctly fulvous/tawny. Wings dusky with narrow buffy wingbars and subtle edging; faint pale supercilium. Tail short, often flicked; overall plain but warm-toned head contrasts with drab body.
Diet
Primarily consumes small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, and small caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs and by making short sallies to snatch prey. Occasionally hawks tiny insects in mid-air just above the shrub layer.
Preferred Environment
Feeds low in scrubby vegetation, thorn thickets, and along woodland edges. Often uses hedgerows, fence lines with scattered bushes, and regenerating secondary growth.
