The marble-faced bristle tyrant is a species of passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern and Central Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs along the east and west slopes of the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. Prefers humid montane and cloud forests, especially dense, mossy understory and edges. Frequently uses bamboo thickets (Chusquea), streamside thickets, and secondary growth adjacent to mature forest. Typically keeps to the lower to mid-story where it forages by sally-gleaning from foliage and twigs.
Altitude Range
600–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small Andean flycatcher often travels with mixed-species flocks in humid montane forests, where it actively glean-hunts for insects. The “bristle” in its name refers to prominent rictal bristles around the bill that aid in catching prey. It is frequently associated with Chusquea bamboo and mossy understory, making it more often heard than seen. Its thin, buzzy trills and high notes are key cues for detection.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, commonly joining mixed-species flocks in the forest understory and mid-story. Builds a small cup nest placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Breeding timing varies by region across its Andean range.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched notes and dry, buzzy trills delivered from shaded perches. Calls include sharp tseet and tzip notes, often repeated in short series.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a grayish head and a finely mottled, marbled face. Underparts are yellowish to olive-yellow with cleaner throat. Two pale yellowish wingbars and subtle edging on flight feathers. Rictal bristles at the bill base are noticeable at close range.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as insects and spiders. Forages by gleaning from leaves, twigs, and moss, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch prey. Often inspects clusters of epiphytes and bromeliads for hidden insects.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense, humid forest understory to mid-story, especially in bamboo thickets and along forest edges and streams. Frequently follows mixed flocks to exploit disturbed insects and shared vigilance.
