Kaempfer's tody-tyrant is a rare species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is native to the Serra do Mar coastal forests.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southern and southeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen Atlantic Forest, mainly along the Serra do Mar coastal range. It prefers dense understory, especially bamboo and vine tangles, in both primary and well-structured secondary growth. Often near streams, swampy patches, and forest edges with thick cover. Its range is highly localized and fragmented, with small, isolated populations.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Kaempfer's tody-tyrant is a tiny, elusive tyrant flycatcher restricted to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, especially the Serra do Mar. It favors dense bamboo thickets in humid forest understory and is more often heard than seen. Ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats, and the species persists in a few protected and remnant forest patches.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low sallying flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes family groups after breeding. Tends to keep low in the understory and may occasionally accompany mixed-species flocks. Nests are typically small, domed or globular structures placed low in dense vegetation such as bamboo.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of thin notes and dry trills, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls are subtle contact ticks and seep notes that can be hard to localize in dense cover.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with dusky wings showing pale wing bars; underparts yellowish to olive-yellow with subtle dusky shading on the breast. Compact, big-headed look with a very short tail often held cocked. Feathers appear soft and plain, aiding camouflage in dense foliage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods such as flies, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs and by making short sallies to snatch prey. Often inspects the shaded interior of bamboo clumps and vine tangles where insects accumulate.
Preferred Environment
Low, dense understory within humid forest, especially bamboo stands near streams and forest edges. Uses interior thickets and well-structured secondary growth with abundant cover.
