Variegated Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus poecilotis Scientific name definitions

Widely distributed through the tropical Andes, from northwest Venezuela to southernmost Peru, principally on the east slope, the Variegated Bristle-Tyrant inhabits humid montane forest at 1,500 up to at least 2,300 m. This species usually is encountered alone or in pairs, and often with mixed species foraging flocks. Many of these bands also contain the closely related Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant (Pogonotriccus ophthalmicus). Most aspects of the natural history of the Variegated Bristle-Tyrant are still very poorly described in the literature. It is insectivorous, capturing prey primarily by hover-gleaning. Its plumage is typically rather nondescript, but it should be readily separated from the Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant by virtue of its chestnut buff, as opposed to yellowish, wingbars, as well as its brighter and yellower underparts. The Variegated Bristle-Tyrant usually is considered monotypic, although a separate subspecies has been described from extreme northwestern Venezuela.