Jelski's black tyrant, or Andean tyrant, is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the montane slopes of southern Ecuador and northern to central Peru, favoring shrubby slopes, forest edges, and semi-open montane woodland. It often uses ecotones near cloud forest, second-growth thickets, and ravines with scattered trees. The species is most frequently encountered at treeline transitions and in Polylepis or alder patches. It tolerates lightly disturbed habitats and may appear along agricultural edges with remnant shrubs.
Altitude Range
1800–3700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Jelski's black tyrant, also called the Andean tyrant, is a small flycatcher of high Andean slopes and forest edges. Males are mostly glossy black, while females are dusky brown and more subdued, aiding camouflage. It hunts by sallying from exposed perches to snatch flying insects. It is typically quiet and unobtrusive, often detected by its habit of returning to the same perch.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories along edges and shrubby clearings. Pairs form during the breeding season and remain close to favored perches. Nests are placed in concealed sites such as dense shrubs or natural cavities near slopes and ravines.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and thin, consisting of high, sibilant notes and brief chips. The song is a simple, short series of high-pitched phrases, often delivered from an exposed perch, interspersed with sharp call notes.
Plumage
Male is glossy black overall with subtle pale edging on some wing feathers; female is dark brown to sooty with paler underparts and faint wing bars, often with a weak pale supercilium.
Diet
Primarily captures flying insects such as flies, beetles, and wasps by sallying from exposed perches. It occasionally gleans small arthropods from leaves and twigs. Feeding bouts are brief but frequent, with the bird often returning to the same vantage perch.
Preferred Environment
Edges of cloud forest, shrubby slopes, and semi-open woodland where open flight paths alternate with cover. Also uses riparian corridors, landslide scars, and human-modified edges with scattered trees.
