Drab water tyrant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drab water tyrant |
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| at Apiacás river, Mato Grosso state, Brazil | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ochthornis
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| Species: |
littoralis
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| Synonyms | |
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Ochthoeca littoralis (Pelzeln, 1868) |
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The drab water tyrant (Ochthornis littoralis) is a small bird that lives near rivers. It belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family, called Tyrannidae. This bird is special because it's the only species in its group, called Ochthornis. You can find drab water tyrants in many South American countries. These include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Their favorite habitat is along rivers.
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What Does the Drab Water Tyrant Look Like?
The drab water tyrant is a small bird, about 13 to 13.5 centimeters long. That's roughly the size of a sparrow. It weighs around 13.4 grams, which is very light!
This bird has dusty-brown wings and tail. It also has a short, whitish stripe above its eye, called a supercilium. Its name "drab" comes from its plain colors. The "water tyrant" part refers to its love for water and its family group.
The drab water tyrant has a plump, round body. But its beak is short and narrow. This is a bit unusual for its body shape.
Where Do Drab Water Tyrants Live?
Drab water tyrants love tropical rivers. They are often found near steep riverbanks. You might also spot them among piles of natural debris or exposed tree roots. They really thrive close to water.
These birds have also been seen near other watery places. This includes wetlands, streams, creeks, and even waterfalls. They always choose places with plenty of water.
Where Can You Find Them?
Drab water tyrants live in South America. This region is known as the neotropical biogeographical realm. They are not migratory birds. This means they stay in their South American homes all year round.
You can find them across most of the Amazon rainforest. However, they are not usually in the eastern part of the Amazon. They also live in coastal French Guiana and the very northeast of Brazil.
What Do Drab Water Tyrants Eat?
The drab water tyrant's diet mainly consists of small insects. They find these insects along the banks of tropical rivers. We don't know exactly which insects they eat. But the Amazon region has many insects. These include rhino beetles, leaf-cutter ants, and paper wasps.
These small birds are clever hunters. They like to perch on branches about 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the water's edge. This gives them a good spot to attack their prey. They usually only fly short distances to catch their meals.
How Do They Behave and Breed?
Drab water tyrants are usually quiet birds. You will often find them in pairs. In Peru, they breed between April and October.
When they breed, they build a special nest. It's an open cup made of grass stems, rootlets, and mud. They place their nests about 3 meters (10 feet) above the river. Sometimes, they build them on a steep riverbank. They might even hide their nests under a log, an overhang, or on a hard mud ledge. A female drab water tyrant typically lays three to four eggs.
Are Drab Water Tyrants Endangered?
No, the drab water tyrant is not an endangered bird. Its conservation status is "least concerned." This means scientists are not worried about them disappearing. They are quite common in their South American habitats. However, they are spread out sparsely along rivers.
Their population is stable. There are no big changes in their numbers. This is good news for these unique river birds.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The drab water tyrant has a quiet and soft call. When they are with their partner, they make a whistled "fweet" sound. This is followed by a fast, excited, and sputtering warbling sound. It sounds like "weechidle-chee."
They repeat these sounds about 4 to 6 times. Often, they will flutter their wings while calling.
