Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes alpinus)

Identification & Behavior: ~13.5 cm (5.2 in). The Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant is all gray with a pale center of the belly and two broad white wing bars. It has a crest of black feathers and white crown patch. The bill is black. The outer tail feathers are white. It is associated with Polylepis woodlands and adjacent scrub. It is unmistakable in its specialized habitat and limited range but see White-browed Tit-Spinetail.

Status: The Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant is uncommon but very local. It is known from Polylepis woodlands in Ancash, Cusco, and part of Apurimac at elevations ranging between 3700-4600 m. It also occurs in Bo.

Name in Spanish: Torito de Pecho Cenizo.

Sub-species: Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes alpinus alpinus), (Carriker), 1933.  W Andean slope in N Peru (Ancash, La Libertad).
(Anairetes alpinus bolivianus), (Carriker), 1935.  SE Peru (Cuzco, Apurímac) and NW Bolivia (La Paz).

Meaning of Name: Anairetes: Gr. anairetes= destroyer. alpinus: L. alpinus= alpine, of high mountains, of the Alps.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae