Short-tailed Field Tyrant
NameShort-tailed Field Tyrant
Common NameShort-tailed Field Tyrant
Scientific NameMuscigralla brevicauda
FamilyTyrannidae
Wingspan (cm)16
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)11
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are grayish-brown, often with faint streaking, contrasting with whitish to pale yellowish underparts, particularly on the belly. It features a dark eye-stripe, a pale supercilium, and two faint wing-bars. The tail is notably short and dark.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a high-pitched, thin 'tseep' or a series of 'tsee-tsee-tsee' notes, often uttered while the bird is running on the ground.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsdesert, coastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThis species is endemic to the Pacific coastal regions of Ecuador and Peru, inhabiting arid and semi-arid scrublands and open sandy areas.
Identifying FeaturesVery short tail, Terrestrial behavior (running on ground), Long legs, Pale yellowish belly, Dark eye-stripe
Description
The Short-tailed Field Tyrant is a small, highly terrestrial flycatcher characterized by its exceptionally short tail and relatively long legs. It is often observed running rapidly across open ground in arid environments, rather than perching high.
