Juan Fernandez tit-tyrant

The Juan Fernandez tit-tyrant is an endangered species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands in the South Pacific Ocean off of Chile.

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Distribution

Region

Juan Fernández Islands, Chile

Typical Environment

Occurs across Robinson Crusoe and Alejandro Selkirk islands in native temperate shrublands and montane forests. It favors forest edges, thickets of myrtle and Drimys, tree-fern groves, and dense secondary growth. Birds forage from the understory to mid-canopy and often use wind-sheltered gullies on otherwise exposed slopes. While most abundant in native vegetation, it will also utilize regenerating scrub where structure is suitable.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1000 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size11–13 cm

Wing Span17–20 cm

Male Weight0.007 kg

Female Weight0.0065 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This energetic flycatcher is confined to the remote Juan Fernández Islands, where it flicks its tail and raises a tiny crest while foraging. It resembles Old World tits in behavior, which gave rise to the name “tit-tyrant.” The species is threatened by habitat degradation and invasive mammals, and conservation actions focus on habitat restoration within Juan Fernández National Park.

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with frequent hovering

Social Behavior

Typically occurs in pairs or small family groups and maintains territories during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in dense shrubs or tree ferns. Parents cooperatively feed nestlings and may remain loosely associated after fledging.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Delivers high, thin twittering trills interspersed with squeaky notes. Calls include sharp chips and scolding chatters when alarmed. Males sing more persistently during the breeding season.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Compact, active flycatcher with gray to gray-olive upperparts and whitish underparts with light streaking on the breast. Shows two pale wingbars and an often-erect, small dark crest. Tail is relatively long with subtle pale edges.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily consumes small insects such as flies, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Captures prey by gleaning from leaves and twigs and by short sallies to snatch aerial insects. Occasionally hovers to pick prey from foliage in sheltered spots.

Preferred Environment

Forages along forest edges, within native myrtle and Drimys thickets, and among tree ferns and regenerating scrub. Uses low to mid-level vegetation where dense cover provides abundant arthropods.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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