The many-colored rush tyrant or many-coloured rush tyrant is a small passerine bird of South America belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in marshes and reedbeds from coastal lowlands to high Andean lakes. It favors dense stands of cattail, bulrush, and totora around lakes, ponds, river edges, and estuaries. Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (southern), Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and locally in adjacent areas. It uses both fresh and brackish wetlands and will move locally as water levels change.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 4000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This jewel-like flycatcher is the sole member of its genus, Tachuris, and lives almost exclusively in dense reedbeds. It often cocks its short tail wren-like while flitting through rushes and cattails. Nests are neatly woven cups suspended among reeds, typically just above the waterline.
Many-colored rush tyrant nest
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes over reeds
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups within dense marsh vegetation. Builds a suspended cup nest woven from grasses and fibers, anchored to vertical reed stems above water. Both sexes attend the nest, and pairs defend small territories within suitable reedbeds.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
High-pitched, thin trills and tinkling twittering notes delivered from exposed reed tops or within cover. Calls are sharp, squeaky chips, often given in rapid sequences during active foraging.
Plumage
Strikingly patterned with a bright green back, yellow underparts, and a contrasting black cap and mask; throat pale to white with a clean edge. Shows a small rufous to orangish patch on the lower belly/vent and often a bluish rump. Tail is short and often held cocked; wings dark with subtle edging.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, larvae, and spiders. Gleans prey from reed stems and leaves and occasionally hover-gleans at the edges of vegetation. Will sally short distances to snatch insects in the air and sometimes picks prey from the water surface.
Preferred Environment
Forages within dense stands of cattail, rushes, and bulrushes, especially along quiet water margins. Frequently uses narrow channels, reed edges, and patches of floating vegetation in freshwater and brackish marshes.
