Many-colored rush tyrant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Many-colored rush tyrant |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tachuris
|
| Species: |
rubrigastra
|
 |
|
The many-colored rush tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra) is a small, colorful bird found in South America. It belongs to a group of birds called passerines, which are often called "perching birds." This bird is part of the Tyrannidae family, also known as tyrant flycatchers.
This special bird is the only member of its genus, Tachuris. This means it's quite unique! Sometimes, scientists even think it should have its very own family because it's so different from other birds. You can find the many-colored rush tyrant living in wet areas like marshes and reedbeds. It loves to be near lakes and rivers, especially where there are lots of Scirpus plants. It builds its nest hidden among these plant stems.
Contents
About This Unique Bird
Scientists have studied the many-colored rush tyrant's DNA to learn more about it. In 2013, a study showed that this bird is very old, in terms of its family tree. It separated from other similar birds about 25 million years ago! Because it's so different, some scientists have suggested it should have its own special family name, called Tachurididae or Tachurisidae. This shows just how unique and special this little bird is.
Different Types of Many-colored Rush Tyrants
Even though it's a unique bird, there are four different types, or subspecies, of the many-colored rush tyrant. These are like different versions of the same bird, often found in different places:
- T. r. rubrigastra: This is the most common type. You can find it in places like southeast Brazil, southern Argentina, and central Chile.
- T. r. alticola: This type lives high up in the Andes mountains. It's found in southeast Peru, western Bolivia, and northwest Argentina.
- T. r. libertatis: This type lives along the coast of Peru.
- T. r. loaensis: This type is only found in a small area called Antofagasta Region in northern Chile.
What Does It Look Like?
.JPG)
The many-colored rush tyrant is a small bird, only about 11 to 11.5 centimeters long. As its name suggests, it's very colorful!
- Its back and rump are bright green.
- Its belly is yellow.
- It has a white throat and a black band across its chest.
- The feathers under its tail are red.
- Its face is a dark blue-grey.
- There's a yellow stripe above its eye.
- On top of its head, it has a dark cap with a hidden red patch.
- Its wings and tail are dark, but it has a white stripe on its wing and white feathers on the outer parts of its tail.
Female birds are usually a bit less colorful than the males.
Images for kids
-
A close-up of the many-colored rush tyrant.
-
Map showing where the many-colored rush tyrant lives.
