Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers (Terenotriccus erythrurus)
The Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers, Terenotriccus erythrurus, is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family.
It is the only member of the genus Terenotriccus, but some authorities place it in the genus Myobius. However, it differs in voice, behavior, and structure from members of that group.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers Distribution / Habitat
It breeds in lowlands from southeastern Mexico to northern Bolivia, central Brazil, and the Guianas.
This tiny flycatcher breeds from sea level to 1000 m altitude, locally to 1200 m, in wet mountain forests and in adjacent tall second growth.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers Breeding / Nesting
The nest is a pear-shaped pouch of plant fibres and leaves with a visored side entrance, built by the female 2-6 m high in the undergrowth and suspended from a twig or vine. The two chocolate-blotched white eggs are incubated by the female for 15-16 days to hatching, the male playing no part in the care of the eggs or young.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers Description
The Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers is 9-10.2 cm long and weighs 7 g. The upperparts are grey-olive, with a rufous rump, tail, wings and eye ring. The throat is buff and the breast is cinnamon, becoming pale buff on the belly.
Males and females look alike, but young birds are brighter above and have a browner tail and breast.
The Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher is mainly solitary, and only occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers Feed / Diet
It feeds on insects, especially leafhoppers of Canada, picked from foliage or taken in acrobatic aerial pursuit.
Ruddy-tailed Flycatchers Call / Song
This species has a see-oo see call, and a repetitive eek eek eek eek eek song. It sometimes flicks both wings up to make a faint whirring sound.
