Drab Water Tyrant Ochthornis littoralis Scientific name definitions

As a boat pushes upstream along a river in Amazonia, a pair of small, rather dull-colored, sandy birds with obviously pale rumps flits ahead of it along the bank. Seen well, and this species is often very confiding, these birds also exhibit a short whitish supercilium, and darker brown wings and tail; the Drab Water-Tyrant is well named, for both its plumage and strict association with waterside habitats, especially relatively large rivers. The sole member of Ochthornis, although this genus has sometimes been merged with the Andean chat-tyrants Ochthoeca, the Drab Water-Tyrant is found across the greater part of Amazonia, except the eastern quarter, and is also present in coastal French Guiana and extreme northeast Brazil.

13–13·5 cm; 13·4 g. Generally rather nondescript. Plumage is sandy brown above , crown and lores darker, rump paler, faint whitish supercilium ; wings and tail dusky brown; underparts generally paler sandy brown than upperparts; iris dark; bill and legs blackish. Sexes alike.

Amazonian S Colombia, S Venezuela (Amazonas, Bolívar) and S Guyana to E Ecuador, E Peru, N & C Bolivia and NW & NC Brazil; also N French Guiana and extreme NC Brazil (NE Amapá).

Along tropical rivers and margins, especially near steep banks, exposed roots, or piles of debris; invariably found near water, especially large rivers. Sea-level to 600 m.

Insects. Usually singly or in pairs; often confiding, sometimes repeatedly allowing close approach and then flying only to short distance. Sallies to air or drops to shore for prey, typically from low perch above water; moves vertically with changing water levels, usually maintaining typical perch height of up to 1 m above surface level.

Usually quiet; call a weak, whistled “fwoit” or “fweet”; pair-members duet with rapid and excited sputtered warbling “wee­chidle-chee”, repeated 4–6 times, often accompanied by wing-fluttering.

Apr–Oct (Peru). Nest an open cup of grass stems, rootlets and mud, placed 3 m above river edge or in steep riverbank, often on hard mud ledge under log or overhang. Clutch 3–4 eggs. No other information.