Torrent tyrannulet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torrent tyrannulet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Serpophaga
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| Species: |
cinerea
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The torrent tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea) is a small bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. These birds live in areas from Costa Rica in the north, all the way south to northern Bolivia and northwestern Venezuela.
Contents
About the Torrent Tyrannulet
What Does It Look Like?
An adult torrent tyrannulet is about 10 to 11.4 centimeters (4 to 4.5 inches) long. It weighs around 8 grams, which is about the same as two quarters!
The male bird has a light grey back. Its belly is greyish-white, becoming pure white on its throat and lower belly. The top of its head, above its eyes, is black. It also has a hidden white patch on its crown, which you can't always see. Its wings and tail are dark, almost black. You can spot two thin, grey-white bars on its wings.
The female bird looks quite similar to the male. However, the top of her head is usually a bit greyer. Also, her white crown patch is either smaller or sometimes not there at all. Young torrent tyrannulets have a browner cap on their heads. Their upper body has a brownish tint, and their wing bars are wider and more yellow.
Where Does It Live?
The torrent tyrannulet loves to live near rocky mountain streams. You can find them at different heights, from about 300 meters (about 980 feet) up to 2200 meters (about 7200 feet) above sea level. They are not as common in lower areas where the water doesn't flow as fast.
There was one time a nest was found in Costa Rica as low as 35 meters (about 115 feet). This might have happened because some birds moved away from their usual homes. This could be due to work on a hydroelectric dam further up the Sarapiquí River.
How Does It Behave?
Nesting and Reproduction
The torrent tyrannulet builds a strong, cup-shaped nest. They often place it on a branch up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) high, usually over water. Sometimes, they build their nests on a rocky shore.
They line the inside of the nest with soft feathers. The outside is covered with moss, which helps to camouflage it. Female birds usually lay two eggs. These eggs are pale buff or whitish and do not have any spots or markings.
What Does It Eat?
These birds mainly eat insects. They are very good at catching them! They might catch insects while flying through the air. Or, they can pick them off plants along the riverbanks or from rocks in the stream.
Flight and Sounds
The torrent tyrannulet flies low over the water, much like a dipper bird. When it lands on a rock in the stream, it often bobs its tail up and down.
Its call is a sharp, clear chip sound. You can easily hear this call even over the loud noise of rushing water. Their song is a slower repeat of this chip sound. Sometimes, it's a seek sound followed by a fast, trilled ti,ti,ti,ti,ti,ti.
