White-eyed attila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-eyed attila |
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| White-eyed attila at Careiro da Várzea, Amazonas state, Brazil | |
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| Genus: |
Attila
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| Species: |
bolivianus
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The white-eyed attila (Attila bolivianus) is a cool bird with bright, pale yellow-white eyes. It's also sometimes called the dull-capped attila. This bird is part of a group called passerines, which are often known as "perching birds." It belongs to the Tyrannidae family, also known as tyrant flycatchers.
You can find these birds in several South American countries. They live in places like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and maybe even Ecuador. They love to hang out in warm, wet areas, especially subtropical or tropical swamps. They can live in places up to about 300 m (980 ft) high.
What Does It Look Like?
The white-eyed attila is a medium-sized bird. It usually measures around 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in) long. That's about the length of a regular pencil! It weighs about 40–45 g (1.4–1.6 oz). This is roughly the same weight as a few slices of bread. The most striking thing about this bird is its pale yellow-white eyes, which give it its name.
Where Does It Live?
The white-eyed attila lives in the low-lying areas of eastern South America. For example, in Peru, you can find them in many places. They generally live south of the big Amazon River. They prefer swampy areas where there's plenty of water and trees.
What Does It Eat?
The white-eyed attila is a clever hunter! It mostly eats arthropods, which are creatures like insects and spiders. Sometimes, it also enjoys eating fruit.
This bird likes to find a good spot to watch for its food. It will perch, or sit, usually in a well-lit area, and scan its surroundings. When it spots something tasty, it quickly flies towards it. It can snatch its prey right off a surface. Sometimes, it even hovers in the air before grabbing its meal from leaves or branches. This special way of hunting is called hover-gleaning.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The name "bolivianus" for this bird comes from the country Bolivia. This is because the bird was first described from that region. There's also a subspecies, or a slightly different type, of this bird called "nattereri". This name honors an Austrian scientist named Johann Natterer.
