White-banded Tyrannulet - BirdForum Opus

Mecocerculus stictopterus

Photo by Michael W
Termes de Papallacta Hot Springs on the E slope of the Andes in Ecuador

Identification

A small (12.5cm, 5") tyrant flycatcher of typical appearance: Brownish above with hints of olive, two conspicuous white wing bars and a bold supercillium.

Similar Species The White-tailed Tyrannulet has a very similar appearance and habits, but lives at lower altitudes, has a pale rump and is considerably smaller at 11cm.

Distribution

Both slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.

Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognized:

• M. s. stictopterus
• M. s. albocaudatus
• M. s. taeniopterus

Habitat

Widespread in forest canopy and borders; in Ecuador and Colombia mostly between 2400 and 3500m.

Behaviour

Actively gleans insects from leaves and branches; frequent calls.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view

External Links

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