The Choco tyrannulet (Zimmerius albigularis) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.[2]
| Choco tyrannulet | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Zimmerius |
| Species: | Z. albigularis
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| Binomial name | |
| Zimmerius albigularis (Chapman, 1924)
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| Synonyms | |
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Zimmerius chrysops albigularis | |
Taxonomy and systematics
editThe Choco tyrannulet was originally described as Tyrannulus chrysops albibularis, a subspecies of the golden-faced tyrannulet. Through much of the twentieth century the golden-faced tyrannulet and several other tyrannulets were kept in genus Tyranniscus but a study published in 1977 erected the present genus Zimmerius for them.[3][4] Following a study published in 2008 that detailed molecular and vocal differences among the golden-faced tyrannulet's subspecies, the Choco tyrannulet was recognized as a full species.[5][2][3][6][7][excessive citations]
Description
editThe Choco tyrannulet is 10.5 to 11.5 cm (4.1 to 4.5 in) long and weighs 6.6 to 8.6 g (0.23 to 0.30 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a mottled yellow forehead, dusky lores, a yellow supercilium, a dark stripe through the eye, and golden-brown ear coverts. Their crown, back, and rump are dark olive. Their wings are dusky with yellow edges on the coverts and flight feathers. Their tail is dusky. Their throat is whitish, their breast pale gray with a pale yellow tinge on the sides, their belly whitish, and their vent area pale yellow. They have a gray or brown iris, a small, rounded, black bill, and gray or black legs and feet.[8][9][10]
Distribution and habitat
editThe Choco tyrannulet is a bird of the Chocó bioregion. It is found from southwestern Colombia's Cauca Department south on the western side of the Andes through Ecuador to Santa Elena and Guayas provinces. It inhabits the interior and edges of humid lower montane forest, mature secondary woodland, coffee plantations, and gardens. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in Colombia and to 1,600 m (5,200 ft) in Ecuador.[8][9][10]
Behavior
editMovement
editThe Choco tyrannulet is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.[8]
Feeding
editThe Choco tyrannulet feeds on insects and small fruits, especially those of mistletoes (Loranthaceae). It forages singly or in pairs and sometimes joins mixed-species feeding flocks. It feeds mostly in the forest canopy, perching horizontally with its tail cocked and actively moving about and gleaning food while perched or with short flights.[8][9][10]
Breeding
editNothing is known about the Choco tyrannulet's breeding biology.[8]
Vocalization
editThe Choco tyrannulet's dawn song is a "querulous, ascending 'treeu, tree-ree-ree-ree?' " and its call is "a simple 'cheli'...repeated over and over".[10]
Status
editThe IUCN has assessed the Choco tyrannulet as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is considered locally common in Colombia and "widespread and often common" in Ecuador.[9][10] It occurs in several protected areas in Ecuador.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b BirdLife International (2024). "Choco Tyrannulet Zimmerius albigularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024: e.T22735786A264382372. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Tyrant flycatchers". IOC World Bird List. v 14.2. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 28 September 2024. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved September 29, 2024
- ^ Traylor, M. A. (1977). A classification of the tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 148:128–184.
- ^ Rheindt, F.E.; Norman, J.A.; Christidis, L. (2008). "DNA evidence shows vocalizations to be better indicator of taxonomic limits than plumage patterns in Zimmerius tyrant-flycatchers". Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics. 48 (1): 150–156. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.04.016. PMID 18495499.
- ^ Clements, J. F., P.C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, M. Smith, and C. L. Wood. 2024. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2024. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ retrieved October 23, 2024
- ^ HBW and BirdLife International (2024). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 8.1. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/taxonomy retrieved August 26, 2024
- ^ a b c d e f del Hoyo, J., N. Collar, and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Choco Tyrannulet (Zimmerius albigularis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.chotyr1.01 retrieved November 13, 2024
- ^ a b c d McMullan, Miles; Donegan, Thomas M.; Quevedo, Alonso (2010). Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Bogotá: Fundación ProAves. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-9827615-0-2.
- ^ a b c d e Ridgely, Robert S.; Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 457. ISBN 978-0-8014-8721-7.