The white-browed purpletuft is a small species of bird in the family Tityridae, the tityras, becards, and allies. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland and foothill humid forests across the Amazon of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It favors the upper canopy and edges of terra firme and várzea forests, and sometimes visits tall secondary growth and forest along rivers. Often found at forest gaps and along light-filled borders where small fruits and insects are abundant. Its canopy-centric habits make it more often heard or glimpsed than closely observed.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny canopy specialist of the Amazon, the white-browed purpletuft is named for the male’s small violet shoulder tufts that are often fluffed during display. It was formerly placed with the cotingas but is now in the family Tityridae. Quiet and often motionless high in the canopy, it is easily overlooked despite being fairly widespread.
At Sani Lodge, Ecuador
Temperament
quiet, unobtrusive, and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between high perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species canopy flocks. Pairs maintain small territories in the canopy and may display with fluffing of the shoulder tufts. Nest is a small open cup placed high on a horizontal branch.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are thin, high-pitched tsit or seee notes and soft trills that carry in the canopy. The song is a short, delicate series of high whistles, often delivered from a semi-exposed perch.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed bird with smooth, plain upperparts and clean underparts; male shows a distinct white eyebrow and can expose small violet shoulder tufts. Female is duller and browner with a subtler eyebrow. Both sexes have a neat, tidy appearance suited to perch-gleaning in the canopy.
Diet
Takes small insects and other arthropods by sallying and careful gleaning from leaves and twigs. Also consumes small berries and soft fruits when available, especially at forest edges and gaps. Foraging is deliberate, with short flights between nearby perches.
Preferred Environment
Primarily the upper canopy and subcanopy of humid forest, including edges, gaps, and riverside forests. Will use tall secondary growth where structure mimics mature canopy conditions.
