The varzea schiffornis, also known as the várzea mourner or greater schiffornis, is a species of bird that belongs to Tityridae family. It has traditionally been placed in the manakin family, but evidence strongly suggest that it is better placed in Tityridae, where it is now classified by SACC.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs along major whitewater rivers in the Amazon Basin, closely associated with seasonally flooded várzea forest and river-edge tall second growth. It uses dense understory and midstory tangles, viney thickets, and edges of oxbow lakes and river islands. The species ranges in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and adjacent countries wherever suitable floodplain forest occurs. It generally avoids terra firme (non-flooded) forest, keeping near dynamic riverine habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the várzea mourner or greater schiffornis, this drab but distinctive tityrid is tied to seasonally flooded Amazonian forests (várzea). It was long placed with the manakins, but genetic and vocal evidence support its placement in Tityridae. Its song is a resonant, mournful series of whistles that carries far through riverine forest. It often keeps to shaded understory perches and can be hard to see despite its loud voice.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low to mid-level perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within dense understory. Territorial singing males deliver far-carrying, mournful phrases. Nesting is presumed to be a cup or shallow structure placed low to mid-level in vegetation, with both sexes likely contributing to care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A resonant, mournful series of clear whistles, often descending or delivered in measured phrases. Calls carry long distances through river-edge forest and are given from concealed perches, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Plain, smooth-textured plumage with warm brown to olive-brown upperparts and paler, buffy-olive underparts; lacks wingbars or bold contrasts.
Diet
Takes a mix of insects and other small arthropods, supplemented with small fruits and berries. Forages by patient perch-gleaning and short sallies to snatch prey from leaves and twigs. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks along river edges. May exploit seasonal fruit abundance in floodplain forest.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory to midstory of várzea forest, vine tangles, and river-edge thickets. Often forages near oxbow lakes, levees, and young secondary growth on floodplains.
