The strange-tailed tyrant is a Vulnerable species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina and Paraguay and as a vagrant in Brazil and Uruguay.
Region
Southern Cone of South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay, with occasional records in southern Brazil and Uruguay. It favors tall, humid grasslands, marsh edges, and wet savannas (campos and pampas) with dense native grasses. Lightly grazed or fallow fields with standing or seasonal water are often used, and it may also appear along drainage ditches and rice field margins. The species is sensitive to intensive grazing, frequent burning, and conversion of native grasslands.
Altitude Range
0–600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males have extraordinarily long, spatulate outer tail feathers used in aerial displays over grasslands, while females are short-tailed and streaky-brown, showing strong sexual dimorphism. The species depends on tall, wet grasslands that are rapidly disappearing due to agriculture, afforestation, and overgrazing. It often perches on grass stems or fence posts and performs fluttering display flights.
Temperament
wary and secretive in tall grass; conspicuous when displaying
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with fluttering display flights; bounding low over grass
Social Behavior
Typically forms pairs during the breeding season, defending small territories in suitable grassland patches. Nests are placed low in dense grasses, where the female incubates while the male often displays nearby. Outside the breeding season, small loose groups may form in larger grassland tracts.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high, and thin, including squeaky chips and short buzzy trills. During display flights, males give a series of sharp notes interspersed with chattering calls.
Plumage
Adult male strikingly contrasting with clean white underparts and rump, dark upperparts, and extremely long outer tail feathers with broadened tips; female and immature are brownish to buff with fine streaking and a short, rounded tail.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying and ground-dwelling insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and flies. Forages by sallying from low perches, hovering briefly over grass heads, and gleaning prey from vegetation. May occasionally take small spiders or other arthropods.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in tall, moist grasslands, along marsh edges, and in lightly grazed pastures with abundant native grasses. Often uses fence lines and scattered posts as vantage points to launch short sallies.
