<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='360409'>Eared Pygmy-Tyrant

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En bref

  • Scientific Name: Myiornis auricularis
  • Spanish Name: Tirano pigmeo orejudo
  • Famille : Tyrannidae
  • Known Nicknames: Eared Pygmy-Tyrant
  • Average Length: 6.5–7.5 cm / 2.6–3.0 in
  • Poids moyen : 6 à 8 g / 0,21 à 0,28 oz
  • Wingspan: 11–13 cm / 4.3–5.1 in
  • Key Feature: Distinctive black-and-white ear tufts (auriculars) and tiny size
  • Régime alimentaire principal : Insectivore
  • Range: Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
  • Habitat: Humid lowland and montane forest edges, secondary growth, and bamboo thickets
  • Structure sociale : Solitaires ou en couples
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small cup nest built in forked branches or vines
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Évolution démographique : Stable

The Eared Pygmy-Tyrant (*Myiornis auricularis*) is a tiny jewel of the Neotropics, often considered one of the world’s smallest passerine birds, measuring a mere 6.5 to 7 centimeters (about 2.5 inches) in length. Its most distinctive feature is the pair of striking, pale-tipped black ear-tufts that flare outward from the sides of its head, giving it a whimsical, "eared" appearance that contrasts sharply with its otherwise olive-green back and pale, whitish-yellow underparts. Despite its minuscule size, this bird possesses a remarkably loud, insect-like voice, producing a sharp, explosive *tseep* or *chirp* that seems impossible for such a small creature. A master of the forest understory, it flits actively through tangled vines and low branches in humid lowland forests of eastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina, where its short, stubby tail and rounded wings make it appear more like a tiny, animated leaf than a bird.

Faits amusants

Despite its name, the Eared Pygmy-Tyrant is one of the world’s smallest passerines, weighing less than a U.S. nickel, yet it produces a surprisingly loud, metallic “tink” call that can startle observers. It often performs a quirky “tail-flicking” display, rapidly jerking its tail up and down while foraging, which may help flush out tiny insects. Its “ears” are actually specialized facial feathers that form subtle tufts, used less for hearing and more for visual communication during territorial disputes. Remarkably, it builds a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance, often suspended from a single twig like a hanging basket, camouflaging it with moss and lichen to evade predators.

Habitats et répartition

The Eared Pygmy-Tyrant inhabits the humid lowland forests and forest edges of the Atlantic Forest biome, primarily in southeastern Brazil. It is also found in adjacent areas of eastern Paraguay and extreme northeastern Argentina (Misiones). The species prefers the dense understory and vine tangles of primary and secondary forests, often near water sources, and can tolerate some habitat degradation as long as sufficient canopy cover remains. Its distribution is largely restricted to elevations below 1,000 meters, though it may occur slightly higher in some mountain ranges.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Eared Pygmy-Tyrant is generally solitary or found in pairs, maintaining small territories in the understory of humid forests. Mating habits are not extensively documented, but like many tyrant flycatchers, they are likely monogamous during the breeding season, with males performing short, upright displays and vocalizations to attract females. Their social structure is simple, with pairs cooperating to defend a small home range but showing little tolerance for conspecifics outside of the breeding unit. A unique reproductive strategy involves constructing a small, dome-shaped nest with a side entrance, often suspended from slender branches or vines, which helps conceal it from predators. The female typically lays two eggs, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties, though the specific duration of these phases remains poorly studied in the wild.

Alimentation

The Eared Pygmy-Tyrant is an insectivorous bird, meaning its diet consists almost exclusively of small arthropods. It primarily feeds on a variety of tiny insects and spiders, which it captures through short, agile sallies from a perch, often hovering briefly to snatch prey from the undersides of leaves in the forest understory. An interesting fact about its diet is that despite being one of the smallest passerines in the world, it specializes in hunting relatively large prey for its size, such as robust katydids and grasshoppers, which it subdues by beating against a branch before swallowing. Additionally, it occasionally supplements its diet with small berries, but insects remain the overwhelming majority of its food intake year-round.

Couleurs

The Eared Pygmy-Tyrant is a tiny passerine with olive-green upperparts and pale whitish-yellow underparts. Its distinctive head pattern includes a gray crown with a concealed white coronal stripe, a bold white eye-ring, and a prominent blackish auricular patch (the "ear") bordered by white. The wings are dark with two yellowish wingbars, and the tail is short and olive. This coloration provides effective camouflage among leafy understory vegetation.

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