The rufous-tailed attila is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, possibly Bolivia, and as a vagrant to Venezuela.
Region
Eastern and south-central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern and southern Brazil into Paraguay and northeastern Argentina, with records in adjacent Bolivia and as a vagrant to Venezuela. Favors humid and semi-humid forests, especially Atlantic Forest remnants, gallery forests along rivers, and wooded savannas. Often found at forest edges, secondary growth, and riparian thickets. During the non-breeding season, some individuals disperse north into more Amazonian or interior woodlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous-tailed attila is a robust tyrant flycatcher known for its rich rufous tail and strong, slightly hooked bill. It is an austral migrant, breeding mainly in southeastern South America and moving northward in the non-breeding season. Its loud, clear whistles carry far through forest edges and gallery woodlands.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, direct sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, perching quietly before sallying to catch prey. Builds a cup-like nest in tree forks or dense foliage, typically a few meters above ground. Both parents likely participate in care of the young, as in many tyrant flycatchers.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Delivers a series of clear, whistled phrases and sharp notes, often repeated from a shaded perch. Vocal activity peaks at dawn and early morning, carrying well through forest edges.
Plumage
Olive-brown to gray-olive upperparts with a distinctly rich rufous tail and rump; wings show warm rufous edging. Underparts are buffy to pale cinnamon, often with faint mottling on the breast. The bill is heavy and slightly hooked at the tip.
Diet
Takes a variety of insects such as beetles, orthopterans, and caterpillars, often snatched in mid-air or gleaned from foliage. Also consumes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates like tiny lizards. During certain seasons, supplements its diet with berries and small fruits.
Preferred Environment
Forages from mid-level to subcanopy perches along forest edges, gallery forests, and secondary woodlands. Frequently hunts from shaded perches, making short sallies into open gaps or along riparian corridors.
