The Serra do Mar bristle tyrant, or Serra do Mar tyrannulet, is a small species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Serra do Mar mountain chain from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo south into Paraná and Santa Catarina. Prefers humid, evergreen montane and foothill forest, including mossy and bamboo-rich areas, forest edges, and well-structured secondary growth. It typically keeps to the mid to upper strata where it moves quickly through foliage. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks along ridges and ravines and frequents forested stream corridors.
Altitude Range
600–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Serra do Mar bristle tyrant is a small, active flycatcher of the Atlantic Forest, often joining mixed-species flocks. It forages by gleaning tiny insects from leaves and sometimes hover-gleans at the tips of foliage. Its restricted range makes it sensitive to forest fragmentation, and it is most often detected by its high, thin calls. Despite the name, the rictal bristles are subtle and hard to see in the field.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief hovering
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Nests are likely small cups placed in concealed forks or mossy vegetation near streams or along shaded forest trails. Pairs maintain small territories within suitable forest patches during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseet notes and rapid, tinkling trills that can be easily overlooked amid forest sounds. Calls are often delivered in short series while the bird forages actively in the canopy.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with two pale wingbars and yellowish underparts that may show faint dusky mottling on the breast and cheeks. The head shows a subtle pale supercilium and slightly darker ear-coverts. Feathers are fine and sleek, aiding its quick movements through dense foliage.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as insects and their larvae, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and terminal foliage. It often sally-gleans short distances to snatch prey and may hover briefly at leaf tips. Foraging is typically fast-paced, moving through a route in concert with mixed flocks to exploit disturbed prey.
Preferred Environment
Mid to upper canopy and subcanopy of humid montane forest, especially along edges, gaps, and bamboo-rich thickets. Also forages along shaded stream margins and in well-regenerated secondary growth where foliage density is high.
