The pied water tyrant is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela, as a vagrant to Ecuador and possibly other areas as well.
Region
Northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs from Panama through northern South America including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, northern Brazil, eastern Peru, and adjacent regions, and on Trinidad. It favors the edges of freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, oxbow lakes, slow rivers, flooded savannas, and rice fields. Often uses emergent vegetation, fence posts, and low shrubs as hunting perches. It tolerates human-modified wetlands and can be found near villages and cattle pastures with water bodies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A striking black-and-white tyrant flycatcher, the pied water tyrant is often seen perched low over marshes and ponds. It frequently makes short sallies to snatch insects above the water and will also pick prey from floating vegetation. Males are crisply black-and-white, while females and immatures show a browner wash. It is common across much of northern South America and on Trinidad.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies low over water
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups holding small territories along water edges. Nests are typically low, placed in shrubs or reeds near water; both sexes participate in building and feeding young. Displays frequent tail flicks and perch changes while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and whistles, delivered from exposed perches. Songs are simple and brief, interspersed with sharp call notes used to keep contact across open wetland edges.
Plumage
Boldly pied with clean white head and underparts contrasting with black upperparts, wings, and tail; often shows a white lower back/rump patch. Females and immatures are slightly duskier with a brownish or buff wash on the upperparts.
Diet
Primarily captures small flying insects such as flies, beetles, and aquatic emergents. Also gleans insects and other small invertebrates from foliage and floating vegetation. Occasionally takes prey from the water surface and may consume tiny seeds incidentally while foraging.
Preferred Environment
Hunts from low perches along marsh and pond margins, reedbeds, and flooded grasslands. Frequently forages over open water and along muddy or vegetated shorelines.
