Grey-backed Tachuri

Polystictus superciliaris

Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies · Passeriformes · Rare

The Grey-backed Tachuri (Polystictus superciliaris) is a rare tyrant flycatcher found only in Brazil, weighing about 6 g. The grey-backed tachuri is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers.

Least ConcernRareEndemicEats invertebratesshrublandcup nest6 g

About the Grey-backed Tachuri

The grey-backed tachuri is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is endemic to Brazil.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The grey-backed tachuri is 9.5 to 10 cm (3.7 to 3.9 in) long and weighs about 6 grams (0.21 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a gray crown with a short crest; the crown's white center is mostly hidden. They have a short white supercilium, a white eye ring, and a thin blackish line through the eye on a face that is otherwise thinly striped with black and white. Their upperparts are brownish gray. Their wings are dark dusky brown with slightly paler brown edges on the flight feathers and tips on the wing coverts; the last show as two wing bars. Their tail is dusky. Voice: The grey-backed tachuri's song is a "nervous, sustained 'tititi---' interrupted by toneless 'purrrrr' trill". Its call is a "series of thin, compact 'eeh-uk' " notes.

Where it lives

When to see it

The Grey-backed Tachuri can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Grey-backed Tachuri?
The grey-backed tachuri is 9.5 to 10 cm (3.7 to 3.9 in) long and weighs about 6 grams (0.21 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Grey-backed Tachuri?
The Grey-backed Tachuri is a tiny sized bird weighing about 6 g.
Where can you see a Grey-backed Tachuri?
The Grey-backed Tachuri is endemic to Brazil, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Grey-backed Tachuri?
The Grey-backed Tachuri is most easily confused with the Bearded Tachuri.
Is the Grey-backed Tachuri endangered?
The Grey-backed Tachuri is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Grey-backed Tachuri for real

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