Sooty Tyrannulet Serpophaga nigricans Scientific name definitions

The Sooty Tyrannulet is a water-associated tyrant that is distributed broadly across southeastern South America.  This tiny flycatcher is dark gray-brown above and paler gray below, with two dusky wingbars on each wing and a white crown patch, usually hidden unless agitated.  The species is highly associated with water, typically small streams or ditches in agricultural or otherwise open areas below 1000 meters in elevation.  Sooty Tyrannulets are always moving around within their habitat, and typically flare and jerk their tails upwards when alert or alarmed.

12 cm; 9 g. Plumage is uniformly dark grey to brownish-grey above, crown slightly darker, semi-concealed white crownstripe; wings dusky grey, two indistinct paler grey wingbars, innermost remiges edged pale grey to whitish; tail black; chin whitish, underparts uniform pale grey, paler than back, flanks tinged more brownish posteriorly; iris dark brown; bill black; legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Insects. Very active, restlessly flitting from perch to perch on rocks or branches, rarely to ground. Sallies into air, to ground and to water surface to snatch insects. Regularly pumps tail up and down, sometimes fans it while doing so.

Song a few staccato notes, followed by higher, sweet, “canary-like” notes.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon. Occurs in many national parks and other protected areas throughout its range, e.g. Ybycuí National Park, in Paraguay, Aparados da Serra, Iguaçu and Serra da Canastra National Parks, all in Brazil, and Iguazú National Park and San Juan de Poriahú Private Reserve (in Iberá Provincial Reserve), both in Argentina. Given its tolerance of converted habitat and its reasonably large range, this species is not considered to be at any risk.