Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae
Description
The size of the bird is 18 to 19 cm. It is similar to a blackbird (Turdidae), it has a short and thin black beak, the iris is dark brown and the legs are long and black. It has a long white superciliary line (1) that goes beyond the eye and a small white spot under the eye, the loreal area (2) is dark.
The plumage is grayish brown above, the crown (3) has a rufous tone (4), below it is grayish-white with the throat and belly whiter.
The wings are darker in color, the coverts (5) have some paler edges, the tail is blackish and the outer rectrices (6) have white edges. Both sexes are similar. Juvenile (7) has coverts and inner wing feathers with tan edges, with whitish streaked underparts, crown and back feathers have darker tips.
Taxonomy
The type locality for this species is: «Quito, Ecuador». It was considered conspecific with Muscisaxicola griseus, but molecular DNA studies justify the specific separation of both taxa, with 2 full species.
Subspecies
This species is subdivided into 3 subspecies:
- Muscisaxicola alpinus columbianus Chapman, 1912 – It lives in the north and center of the Andes of Colombia;
- Muscisaxicola alpinus quesadae Meyer de Schauensee, 1942 – It lives in the eastern Andes of Colombia (Boyacá, and Cundinamarca);
- Muscisaxicola alpinus alpinus (Jardine, 1849) – It is endemic to Ecuador.
Similar species
Spot-billed Ground Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) but it is smaller in size, has a yellow base of the lower jaw, the crown is not rufous and is generally found at lower elevations.
Geographical distribution
It is found throughout the Andes from Colombia to Chile and Argentina; in Colombia it is probably found in Nariño, north of the Eastern Cordillera between Boyacá and Cundinamarca, in the Central Cordillera from Caldas-Tolima in Nevado del Ruiz to Cauca in PN Puracé. It is between 3,300 and 4,200 m high.
Habitat
Present in moors near Espeletia, rocky soils with low vegetation, low vegetation boundary line with snow, arid mountain scrub.
Feeding
It feeds mainly on insects found on the ground; It forages by running or jumping on the ground, although it can also use low perches in trees, or perches high on walls.
Reproduction
Known reproductive seasons Reproduction has been reported in Colombia between September and December, in Ecuador between August and October.
Makes nest in holes with dry grass and roots or crevices in or under rocks Hole, lays 4 white eggs with tan spots
Conservation status
Its population density has not been quantified, but the species is listed as «common». There is no evidence of population decline or specific threats.
Vocalization
It is a silent species; produces weak and whiny «tik» notes
http://www.xeno-canto.org/260953
References
IOC World Bird List, version 3.1. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
Muscisaxicola alpinus in The Internet Bird Collection.
