The Yungas tody-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Region
Central Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Yungas of Bolivia and adjacent southeastern Peru, mainly in humid montane and foothill forests. Favors dense understory, especially bamboo tangles, viney second growth, and forest edges along ravines. Often keeps low to mid-levels inside shaded thickets. While local in occurrence, it can be fairly common where suitable bamboo is present.
Altitude Range
600–2300 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny tyrant flycatcher of humid Andean foothills, it is most often detected by its thin, high-pitched calls rather than by sight. It frequently associates with bamboo (Chusquea) thickets and dense understory, where it glean-hawks small insects. Like many tody-tyrants, it builds a small, domed, hanging nest of plant fibers with a side entrance.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species understory flocks. Territorial during breeding season, with pairs remaining close in dense cover. Nests are small, domed pouches suspended low in vegetation and constructed from fine fibers and moss.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched tseep and tsee notes, often delivered in short series. Song can include a soft, accelerating trill that carries in quiet forest but is easily masked by stream noise.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a contrasting grayish face and nape; underparts yellowish to olive-yellow, paler on the throat. Shows faint buffy wingbars on dusky wings and a slightly paler belly. Feathers appear soft and plain without bold streaking.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small insects and other arthropods, gleaned from leaves and twigs. Frequently hover-gleans at the edges of bamboo culms and vine tangles. Will sally short distances to snatch flying prey, returning quickly to cover.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, especially bamboo thickets, along forest edges, and in young secondary growth. Often keeps near streams and ravines where moisture sustains lush vegetation.
