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Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant Cnemarchus rufipennis Scientific name definitions

Andrew Farnsworth and Gary Langham
Version: 1.1 — Published August 18, 2021

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Introduction

The Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant is a large flycatcher of montane western South America.  Inhabiting stunted forest such as Polylepis in the Andes between 3000 and 4300 meters in elevation, the species ranges from Peru south to northern Argentina. The Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant is pale gray above with a white supraloral and bright cinnamon along the base of the flight feathers and on the underwing coverts.  Though it will sometimes hawk insects out of the air, this rare species is more likely to perch on bushtops and hunt terrestrial insects.

Field Identification

18–21·5 cm. Nominate race is uniform ashy grey above, pale grey or whitish supercilium and black eyeline; remiges cinnamon at base with dark tips, most extensive on primaries, tail dusky, outer web of outer rectrices white, inner webs of all but central pair cinnamon with dusky tips (wing and tail patterns striking in flight); throat paler and faintly streaked; paler ashy grey below, whitish vent and lower belly; underwing-coverts cinnamon; iris pale; bill long, with hooked tip, blackish; legs blackish. Sexes alike. Juvenile has belly more decidedly tinged buff. Race bolivianus is slightly smaller than nominate, browner grey, with narrower tailband.

Systematics History

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies

SUBSPECIES

Cnemarchus rufipennis rufipennis Scientific name definitions

Cnemarchus rufipennis rufipennis
C. r. rufipennis

Distribution

Andes of Peru (S from S Amazonas, Cajamarca and Lambayeque to Cuzco and Arequipa), W Bolivia (NW Oruro) and N Chile (Arica).
SUBSPECIES

Cnemarchus rufipennis bolivianus Scientific name definitions

Cnemarchus rufipennis bolivianus
C. r. bolivianus

Distribution

Andes of SE Peru (Puno), Bolivia and NW Argentina (Jujuy, Salta).

Distribution

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Habitat

Semi-arid montane slopes near timber-line, especially grassland with cacti, low woodlands and low shrubs, and in Polylepis groves and adjacent scrub, usually where there are boulders or cliff faces. Sometimes in farms and gardens with trees present. Mostly 3000–4500 m, occasionally somewhat lower.

Movement

Resident.

Diet and Foraging

Insects. Usually singly or in pairs; conspicuous. Prefers perches on bushes, low trees or cliffs when hunting. Drops from perch to capture prey, less often runs or sallies in pursuit of prey; often hovers.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Call a high-pitched “tree”, given throughout day; alarm similar, but shorter.

Breeding

In Peru, nesting in late Dec (Puno) and fledgling in Feb (An­cash). Performs a hovering-gliding display 10–12 m above ground. Nest a simple open cup, placed in tree (usually Polylepis) or the bromeliad Puya raimondii. Both adults recorded feeding two nestlings. No other information.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Appears to be generally rather rare, though locally fairly common. Recent information suggest that the species may be extending its range southwards. Possibly breeds in extreme N Chile: recently reported from Las Vicuñas National Reserve, N Chile, where, despite official protection, Polylepis woodland is still being damaged by firewood gathering, and may be threatened by proposed new tourist highway. Also occurs in Huascarán National Park, Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and Pampa Galeras National Reserve, all in Peru, and Sajama and Tunari National Parks, in Bolivia.
Distribution of the Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant - Range Map
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Distribution of the Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Farnsworth, A. and G. Langham (2021). Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant (Cnemarchus rufipennis), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rwbtyr1.01.1
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