Southern tropical pewee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern tropical pewee |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Contopus
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| Species: |
cinereus
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The southern tropical pewee (Contopus cinereus) is a small passerine bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. Passerine birds are often called "perching birds" because they have special feet that help them grip branches. These tiny birds live in South America. You can find them in southern Brazil and Paraguay, all the way south to Argentina.
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Meet the Southern Tropical Pewee
The southern tropical pewee is a small bird, only about 14 cm (5.5 inches) long. That's about the length of a pencil! It weighs around 12 grams, which is super light, like two quarters.
What Do They Look Like?
These birds have dark brown or grey feathers on their backs and heads. Their heads have a blackish "cap." They also have two whitish stripes on their wings, which are called "wing bars."
- Upper body: Dark brown or grey with a blackish crown (top of the head).
- Wings: Two whitish wing bars.
- Throat and chest: Whitish in the middle.
- Belly: Pale yellow.
- Sides: Grey-brown.
The color of their feathers can change a lot. Some southern tropical pewees are very dark, especially those from southeastern Brazil and nearby areas. Their beak is short. The top part of the beak is black, and the bottom part is orange. Both male and female birds look very similar.
Where Do They Live?
Southern tropical pewees like to live at the edges of forests. They also enjoy cultivated areas, which are places where people grow crops, as long as there are tall trees around. They need these tall trees for perching and nesting.
Reproduction and Nests
When it's time to build a home, the southern tropical pewee female builds a small, open, cup-shaped nest. She uses plant fibers and grasses to make it. The inside is soft, lined with grass, and the outside is decorated with lichen. Lichen is a type of moss-like growth often found on trees.
The nest is usually placed in a tree fork or on a branch. The female bird lays about two creamy-white eggs. These eggs have red-brown spots, especially at the wider end. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm, a process called incubation. This lasts for about 15 to 16 days until the chicks hatch.
How Do They Find Food?
Southern tropical pewees are excellent hunters! They like to sit on a high branch or other lookout spot. From this perch, they watch for flying insects. When they spot one, they quickly fly out to catch it in mid-air. After catching their meal, they often fly right back to the same high perch to wait for the next insect. This hunting style is called "sallying."
Sounds and Calls
These birds are quite easy to spot because they make distinct sounds. They have a trilled call that sounds like threeee. They also make a sharp weet sound. The way they sing can be a little different depending on where they live. Southern tropical pewees are also brave! They will protect their nest strongly, even from bigger birds like the great kiskadee.
