En bref

• Scientific Name: Muscipipra vetula
• Spanish Name: Tirano cola de tijera
• Famille : Tyrannidae
• Known Nicknames: Shear-tailed Tyrant
• Average Length: 20–23 cm / 7.9–9.1 in
• Average Weight: 20–28 g / 0.7–1.0 oz
• Envergure : N/A
• Key Feature: Long, deeply forked, scissor-like tail
• Régime alimentaire principal : Principalement insectivore
• Range: Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
• Habitat: Montane and subtropical forests, forest edges, and clearings
• Structure sociale : Solitaires ou en couples
• Nesting/Breeding: Open cup nest in tree fork
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Évolution démographique : Stable

The Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant (*Muscipipra vetula*) is a striking and elusive flycatcher endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Its most distinctive feature is the elongated, deeply forked tail, with the outer feathers tapering into fine, wire-like tips that often cross or trail behind it in flight, giving the species its name. The bird presents a sleek, predominantly gray plumage with a paler, whitish throat and belly, accented by subtle dark wings and a faint, pale eye-ring. A master of aerial insect hunting, it sallies from exposed perches in the forest canopy, and its unique, sharp vocalizations—a series of high-pitched, descending whistles—often betray its presence before it is seen. This specialized tail and its restricted, threatened habitat make the Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant a prized sighting for birdwatchers and a species of significant conservation interest.

Faits amusants

Despite its elegant name, the Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant is a master of aerial acrobatics, often performing dramatic, vertical sallies from a high perch to snatch insects mid-flight, then returning to the exact same twig—a behavior so precise it looks rehearsed. It has an unusually long, deeply forked tail that it fans and flexes like a rudder during these maneuvers, giving it exceptional maneuverability in dense forest understory. A quirky trait is its habit of “tail-wagging” while perched, a rapid side-to-side motion that is thought to dislodge parasites or signal alertness, but often makes it look like it’s impatiently tapping its foot.

Habitats et répartition

The Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant is primarily found in the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern South America. Its geographical range extends from eastern and southern Brazil through eastern Paraguay into the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina. It inhabits humid montane and submontane forests, often favoring edges, clearings, and second-growth woodlands near watercourses, typically at elevations between 500 and 1,800 meters. This species is resident and non-migratory within its fragmented range.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant is a monogamous species, with pairs maintaining and defending a small territory year-round. During the breeding season, which coincides with the rainy season, the male performs a short, fluttering display flight while emitting a sharp, repeated whistle to attract the female. Courtship involves mutual preening and the male offering food to the female. Both sexes collaborate to build a small, cup-shaped nest of moss and lichens, typically placed high in a tree fork. A unique reproductive strategy is that the female lays only a single egg per clutch, a relatively low number for a passerine, which may be an adaptation to the species’ specialized insectivorous diet and the need for intense, prolonged parental care. The chick fledges after about three weeks, and the pair often reuses the same nest for subsequent broods within the same season.

Alimentation

The Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant is an insectivorous bird, meaning its diet consists almost entirely of insects and other small arthropods. It is an adept aerial forager, often seen sallying out from an exposed perch to snatch flying prey mid-air, a behavior known as hawking. Its menu primarily includes flies, beetles, moths, and wasps, which it captures with precise, swift flights. An interesting dietary fact is that, unlike many tyrant flycatchers that specialize in soft-bodied insects, the Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant has been observed to regularly take harder-shelled beetles, indicating a robust bill capable of crushing chitin. Additionally, it occasionally supplements its diet with small spiders and, very rarely, tiny berries, though insects remain the overwhelming majority of its intake throughout the year.

Couleurs

The Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant is primarily a soft, uniform slate-gray above, with paler, whitish-gray underparts. It has a distinctive black mask through the eye and a white throat, while its long, deeply forked tail is black with white outer edges. No notable camouflage adaptations exist beyond its plain gray tones blending with shaded forest.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Détails de l'attraction

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