Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus Scientific name definitions

The diminutive Tufted Tit-Tyrant is indeed tufted, and in its acrobatics and small peg-like bill suggests a chickadee or tit (Paridae). It has a wide range, largely in the Andes in much of South America, from Colombia south to Chile and Argentina, although it also is widespread in the lowlands of central Chile and in northern Patagonia in Argentina. It is broadly sympatric with the similar Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes flavirostris) but Tufted has narrower streaking below, narrower wingbars, an entirely dark bill, and striking yellow eyes. It occupies shrubby habitats, as well as forest edge and even Polylepis habitats in the high Andes. In parts of central Chile this little flycatcher is quite common and well known by locals. A colloquial name for Tufted Tit-Tyrant is torito, or little bull, due to its conspicuous "horns".