Andean Negrito Lessonia oreas Scientific name definitions

There are two very similar species in this genus, Lessonia, and until recently the two were considered subspecies of a single species. The Andean Negrito is a resident in highland wetlands (bofedales) from central Peru south through Bolivia to NW Argentina and N Chile. The male is all black with a pale chestnut back, and in flight it shows whitish inner webs to the primaries, giving a noticeably pale winged look. Its alternate English name is White-winged Negrito. The female is blackish grey with a dull brownish-chestnut patch on the back, and its pale wings are present but not as obvious as on the male. This negrito is resident, unlike its more southern and highly migratory relative the Austral Negrito (Lessonia rufa). The Andean Negrito is also quite a bit larger than the Austral, although the two are seldom if ever observed together for comparison. This species of flycatcher is very quiet, and seldom emits more than single noted “chip”.

12·5 cm. Male is black with pale rufous back ; inner webs of flight-feathers silvery white (usually visible only in flight); iris dark; bill short, black; legs black; hindclaw exceptionally long, like that of a pipit (Anthus). Differs from very similar L. rufa in slightly smaller size, slightly paler rufous back, whitish inner webs of remiges. Female is smaller than male, blackish-brown above, back dull rufous, chin whitish, sooty below, breast side dull rufous, crissum blackish; much darker below than female L. rufa. Juvenile is like female, but much paler overall.

Andes of C & S Peru (SE Ancash, SW Huánuco) to C Chile (Coquimbo), W & SW Bolivia and NW Argentina (Catamarca).

Montane lakes, streams and bogs with short vegetation and muddy areas, heavily grazed lakeshores, also seasonally flooded plains. Mostly 3000–4000 m; occasionally above 4000 m (Peru) or below 1000 m (Chile). Replaces L. rufa in Altiplano.

Resident. May overlap with L. rufa in N Chile and Bolivia, during austral winter.

Small insects. Usually occurs in pairs or family groups. Basically terrestrial . Frequently perches on tus­socks or other slightly elevated perches. Makes short sallies and flights to catch insects close to or on ground; also pursues prey by running on ground in short quick bursts.

Contact call  a short, rather faint “tyt”, repeated at c. 0·5-second intervals; alarm a very high-pitched “zi”. Also a display flight consisting of three parts: perched “tsi” notes, diagonal flight with “tic” notes, and turn and descent with “trrrrrrrrrr” wing-whirr and “psie” note (2 Areta, J.I. and Miller, E.H. (2014). Display flight and mechanical sounds of the Andean Negrito (Lessonia oreas), with comments on the basic structure of flight displays in Fluvicoline flycatchers. Ornitología Neotropical. 25: 95–105. Close ).

Oct–Jan in N Chile. Displaying male flutters upwards 10–15 m. Nest usually an open cup similar to that of L. rufa, concealed in tussock or grass. Clutch 3–4 eggs; no other information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon to locally fairly common. Becomes more numerous towards N of range. Occurs in Lauca National Park, in Chile, and common around Junín National Reserve, in Peru.