The rufous-breasted chat-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Andes from Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. Favors cloud forest edges, elfin forest, shrubby clearings, and second-growth with nearby tall perches. Regular along streams, landslides, and roadcuts where vertical banks and open perches are plentiful. Often associated with bamboo (Chusquea) patches and mossy understory near treeline.
Altitude Range
1800–3800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This Andean flycatcher often perches upright on exposed twigs at forest edges, making short sallies to snatch insects. Its bright rufous underparts contrast with a slaty head and back, helping with quick field identification. Despite preferring intact montane forest edges, it tolerates disturbed habitats and roadsides. The name “chat-tyrant” reflects its chat-like posturing combined with typical tyrant flycatcher hunting behavior.
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid sallies from exposed perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, maintaining small territories along forest edges and streams. Nest is a cup placed on ledges, earthen banks, or among roots and mossy walls. Both parents participate in provisioning the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp ticking chat-like calls and short squeaky whistles from exposed perches. Song is a brief series of thin trills and notes, repeated intermittently, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Slaty-gray head and upperparts with rich rufous breast and belly; whitish to pale throat and a dusky facial mask. Wings are dark with rufous edging and the tail is rufous-brown. Compact, upright stance typical of chat-tyrants.
Diet
Feeds primarily on flying insects such as flies, beetles, and moths, taken by aerial sallies from perches. Also gleans small arthropods from foliage and bark when activity is low. May occasionally take small berries, especially in cooler months when insects are scarce, but remains strongly insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, gaps, and stream corridors where visibility and perches are abundant. Frequently uses roadside cuttings and landslides, moving between low shrubs and mid-story perches.
