Reiser's Tyrannulet Phyllomyias reiseri Scientific name definitions

Until recently considered conspecific with both the Greenish Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias virescens) of the Atlantic Forest region, and the Urich’s Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias urichi) of extreme northeast Venezuela, the Reiser’s Tyrannulet is a relatively poorly known species confined to an area of south-central South America that is still rather rarely visited by ornithologists. This generally rather nondescript tyrannulet is almost endemic to Brazil, where it occurs from Piauí south to Mato Grosso do Sul, but the species just reaches east-central Paraguay. It is an inhabitant of reasonably tall-stature semi-deciduous dry forest, and is seemingly uncommon and local throughout most of its range. The Reiser’s Tyrannulet is almost certainly declining in response to ongoing habitat destruction virtually throughout its range, although the species is not yet considered globally threatened under IUCN criteria.

EC Brazil (S Piauí and S Tocantins to W Minas Gerais, S Goiás and C Mato Grosso do Sul) and EC Paraguay (Concepción).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Poorly known. Rare to uncommon and very local cerrado endemic. Known from c. 15 widely dispersed localities in interior E Brazil and extreme NE Paraguay, where it is found in gallery forest in the cerrado region (cerradão) and in subtropical, dry deciduous forests (N Minas Gerais). Recorded in Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park (IUCN Cat. II; 564 km²), Minas Gerais, in Brazil. No data on population density, size or trend. Severe degradation, destruction and fragmentation of cerradão habitat has already taken place and is ongoing. In this context, further information on the ecology of this species and possible population decline or range contraction are urgently needed. Its conservation status should be carefully re-evaluated, with a view to possible uplisting to Near Threatened.