The Minas Gerais tyrannulet is an Endangered species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers.
Region
Eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais and adjacent areas)
Typical Environment
The Minas Gerais tyrannulet inhabits remnant Atlantic Forest and semideciduous forest patches, as well as gallery forests embedded within Cerrado landscapes. It keeps to the mid-story and canopy, where it gleans insects from leaves and small twigs. It tolerates lightly degraded edges and second-growth but relies on structurally complex forest. Populations are highly localized and fragmented, occurring in small, isolated forest islands near rivers and foothills.
Altitude Range
400–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small tyrant flycatcher is endemic to Brazil and is listed as Endangered due to severe habitat loss and fragmentation. It forages actively in the canopy and often joins mixed-species flocks. The species went unrecorded for decades and was rediscovered in the 1990s, highlighting how elusive it can be. Protection of remaining forest patches is critical for its survival.
Temperament
active and somewhat inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, it frequently associates with mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Pairs maintain small territories within suitable forest fragments. Nesting is presumed to be cup-like and placed in foliage, as in congeners, with biparental care likely. Breeding biology is poorly documented due to the species’ rarity and canopy-dwelling habits.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of thin, high-pitched notes and short trills, often given from mid to upper canopy perches. Calls are sharp, sibilant chips that can be difficult to localize in dense foliage.
