Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

Pseudotriccus ruficeps

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesForestTiny · 11 g

What the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant sounds like

Sonogram of the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call · Zamora-Chinchipe: Reserva Tapichalaca, near Q. Cristopher Parson, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Sonogram of the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, wing snap · Zamora-Chinchipe: Reserva Tapichalaca, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Sonogram of the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Napo: pass of Cord. de los Guacamayos, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

The rufous-headed pygmy tyrant is about 11 cm (4.3 in) long and weighs 7 to 9 g (0.25 to 0.32 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have an entirely bright orange-rufous head and throat. Their upperparts are dark olive and their tail dull chestnut. Their wings are dark dusky with wide dull chestnut edges; the wings appear fully chestnut. The central Peruvian population has browner wings. Their breast and flanks are grayish olive and the center of their belly and their undertail coverts creamy yellow. Voice: The rufous-headed pygmy tyrant's song has been described as "a protracted and very high-pitched trill, at first descending, then ascending, 'tsi-i-i-i-i-i-e-e-e-u-e-e-e-i-i-i-i?' " and its call as "a sharp and drawn-out, rattled 'tzrrrrrrrrrrrr' ". The song has been similarly described a "a deep, descending trill followed abruptly by a rising, higher-pitched trill" grrrrrrew'REEEEEEE?

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

Regular range

The map shades 4 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

About the Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

The rufous-headed pygmy tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru with at least one record in Venezuela.

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

Easily confused with

Side by side: Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant vs Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant

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