Yellow-crowned tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

Photo by Michel Giraud-Audine (Oiseaux)

Common name:

yellow-crowned tyrannulet (en); maria-te-viu (pt); tyranneau roitelet (fr); mosquerito-coronado (es); gelbscheitel-olivtyrann (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Tyrannidae

Range:

This South American species is found from Costa Rica and Panama, through Venezuela and Colombia, and into the Guyanas, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.

Size:

This small tyrant-flycatcher is 10-11 cm long and weighs 7-8 g.

Habitat:

They are found in lowland moist forest edges, in swampy areas, sparse woodlands, forest clearings and gardens.

Diet:

Although mostly insectivorous, they take both small insects and berries.

Breeding:

Yellow-crowned tyrannulets often nest in a cup made of plant matter, but some cases are know of nests made exclusively of mistletoe seeds, taking advantage of their adhesive properties. There the female lays 2 eggs, which she incubates alone for 15-19 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 18-20 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

Although the global population size is yet to be quantified, this species is described as common over its very large breeding range. This species tolerates a wide variety of degraded and artificial habitats such as plantations and gardens. Its range is suspected to be increasing in northern Central America as a result of ongoing deforestation