- Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant
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Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant Myiotheretes striaticollis Scientific name definitions

Andrew Farnsworth and Gary Langham
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2004

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Introduction

The Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant is the most widespread bush-tyrant of Andean South America.  Found along the Andes from 2000 to 3500 meters in elevation, this large flycatcher inhabits open areas from Venezuela south to northern Argentina.  It has a stout black bill, and is brown above and cinnamon below with a white throat and face marked by brown streaks; the underwings and tail are cinnamon with contrasting black tips.  Though it has a large population throughout its large range, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant is typically found singly or in pairs, and at rather low density.  Though visually conspicuous in its habitat, the species can be detected by its call, a loud, rising whistle.

Field Identification

21–23 cm; 64 g. Largest Myiotheretes. Plumage is brown above, crown and face darker, faint whitish supraloral stripe; wings dusky, cinnamon-rufous edging, wide cinnamon-rufous band along base of remiges (prominent in flight); tail dusky above, cinnamon below with outer third black­ish; throat white with bold, heavy black streaks continuing to chest; upper chest pale brown, remaining underparts cinnamon-rufous; cinnamon underwing-coverts; iris dark brown; bill large, slightly hooked, blackish; legs blackish. Sexes alike. Race pallidus is somewhat smaller and paler than nominate, with slightly narrower streaks on throat.

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

Myiotheretes striaticollis striaticollis Scientific name definitions

Distribution

Santa Marta Mts (N Colombia), Sierra de Perijá and W Andes of Venezuela and Colombia S to N and C Peru (S to Apurímac and Arequipa).

SUBSPECIES

Myiotheretes striaticollis pallidus Scientific name definitions

Distribution

E Andes in Peru (Cuzco, Puno), Bolivia and NW Argentina (S to Tucumán).

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-open shrubby or grassy regions; in forest and woodland borders near cliffs, landslides or roadcuts; often partially cultivated terrain with shrubby areas and woodland patches; generally avoids extensively forested regions. At 1500–3700 m, mostly 2400–3400 m; occasionally down to 500 m in Peru (Arequipa) and Bolivia.

Movement

Resident; some seasonal altitudinal movement reported.

Diet and Foraging

Insects and small vertebrates. Forages singly or pair-members widely spaced. Uses exposed and elevated (often highly so) perches; conspicuous. Sallies or, less frequently, drops to the ground for prey, sometimes travelling great distances; often returns to same perch.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Call a loud, rising whistle, “pseeeeee”, with almost human quality; territorial call 2–4 loud, human-like whistles, “püééét wüéét sueet peeu”; infrequently heard song “tsi-seeee-rit” or “tsi-si-see-rit”, reminiscent of that of Tyrannus melancholicus.

Breeding

Jan–Jun in N Colombia (Perijá, Santa Marta Mts); nestlings in early Mar in Venezuela (Mérida). Nest reported as a messy cup placed under bridge or overhanging structure. No other information.
Not globally threatened. Uncommon to fairly common. Never really common; given its tolerance of converted habitat, however, it is not threatened. Occurs in Sierra Nevada National Park, in Venezuela, Guandera Biological Reserve, in Ecuador, Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, in Peru, and Tarija National Park, in Bolivia.
Distribution of the Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant - Range Map
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  • Migration
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Distribution of the Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant

Recommended Citation

Farnsworth, A. and G. Langham (2020). Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant (Myiotheretes striaticollis), version 1.0. 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.stbtyr1.01
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