The rufous-tailed tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes and Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs from Venezuela and Colombia south through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and east to the Guianas and northern Brazil. It favors forest edges, clearings, secondary woodland, gallery forests, and shrubby slopes. The species is common in foothill and montane zones and also inhabits tepui and shield habitats with rocky outcrops. It frequently perches on exposed twigs, fence posts, and boulders in semi-open landscapes.
Altitude Range
500–2600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous-tailed tyrant is a small tyrant flycatcher notable for its rich rufous tail, which it often flicks and fans while perched. It hunts by sallying from exposed perches to catch insects in flight or by gleaning from foliage. Found across much of northern and western South America, it readily uses edges and secondary growth, so it adapts well to light disturbance.
Temperament
alert and moderately territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from exposed perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs outside the breeding season. During courtship, it may fan and flick the rufous tail in short display flights. Nests are typically open cups placed in shrubs, ledges, or banks; both adults attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, dry ticks and tsip calls from prominent perches. The song is a brief buzzy or chattering phrase, sometimes delivered during a short display flight.
Plumage
Male is sooty to blackish with a bright rufous tail and subtle pale wing edgings; female is warm brown with faint streaking or mottling, also showing a rufous tail. Both sexes have a slightly rounded head and smooth, compact plumage suited to perch-and-sally foraging.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects such as flies, beetles, and wasps, captured in short aerial sallies. It also gleans small arthropods from foliage and occasionally from the ground or rocks. Small berries may be taken opportunistically when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, shrubby clearings, and riparian corridors where exposed perches are abundant. Often hunts from fence lines, dead snags, and rock outcrops that provide good vantage points.
