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Blackish chat-tyrant facts for kids

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Blackish chat-tyrant
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Ochthoeca
Species:
nigrita
Ochthoeca nigrita map.svg

The blackish chat-tyrant (Ochthoeca nigrita) is a small, dark-colored bird. It belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. This bird is a type of passerine, which means it's a perching bird or songbird.

You can find the blackish chat-tyrant in eastern Venezuela. It lives in warm, wet mountain forests. It can also live in places where forests have been cut down.

Scientists used to think this bird was the same as the slaty-backed chat-tyrant. But now they know they are different species.

About the Blackish Chat-Tyrant

The blackish chat-tyrant is known for its dark feathers. Its scientific name, Ochthoeca nigrita, helps scientists identify it. The word "nigrita" means "blackish," which describes its color.

Where It Lives

This bird makes its home in the eastern parts of Venezuela. It prefers specific types of places to live.

Forest Homes

The blackish chat-tyrant lives in montane forests. These are forests found in mountainous areas. The forests it likes are often subtropical or tropical. This means they are warm and have a lot of moisture.

It can also live in areas where forests have been changed. Sometimes, these birds are found in places where trees have been cut down. This shows they can adapt to different environments.

Discovering the Species

The blackish chat-tyrant was first described in 1871. Two scientists, Philip Sclater and Osbert Salvin, identified it. They gave it its scientific name.

Changing Classifications

For a while, the blackish chat-tyrant was thought to be the same as another bird. This other bird is called the slaty-backed chat-tyrant. Scientists call this being "conspecific."

However, after more study, experts decided they were separate species. This is how science often works. New information can change how we understand different animals.

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