Riverside Tyrant Knipolegus orenocensis Scientific name definitions

Three subspecies of the Riverside Tyrant are recognized across its apparently disjunct range in Amazonia, with the subspecies inhabiting the Amazon and its main tributaries, from eastern Ecuador and northeast Peru downstream to the mouth of the Rio Tapajós in eastern Brazil, being well differentiated from the other two in its much clearer sexual dimorphism. Whereas in the other two subspecies, in the far north, and south of the species’ overall range, the females are distinguished only in being slightly duller overall, in K. o. sclateri the female is dull olive gray above, a rufescent wash to the rump, and distinctly pale below with coarse streaking. Such differences have led to suggestions that sclateri should be recognized specifically. The Riverside Tyrant is well named, as it is only found in semi-open scrub along rivers and near oxbow lakes, and is most typically found in early successional scrub on river islands. It is usually seen alone or in pairs, and can be very difficult to closely approach.