Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus)

Identification & Behavior: ~17 cm (6.8 in). The Bright-rumped Attila has multiple color morphs. The more common rufous morph has brownish upperparts with wing coverts edged with rufous. It has a pale lower mandible. The iris is red in some individuals and whitish in others. The throat and breast are streaked with olive grading to a yellowish belly. The greenish morph is mostly greenish with dusky wings and whitish belly. The iris is red. The rare gray morph is mostly gray with a whitish belly and pale eye. All morphs have a bright yellow rump. It forages in the canopy and sub-canopy of varzea and floodplain forests. The rufous morph is similar to the Dull-capped Attila.

Status: The Bright-rumped Attila is fairly common and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1200 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Atila Polimorfo.

Sub-species: Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus spadiceus), (J. F. Gmelin), 1789.

Meaning of Name: Attila: Attila (406-453) ruler of the Hunnish tribes that ravaged Europe in the fifth century, who revelled in the appelation “Scourge of God.” The Attilas were given this epithet because of their aggressive behaviour and tyrant flycatcher-like appearance and affinities. spadiceus: L. spadix, spadices= chestnut-colored, brown-colored

See more of the Family Tyrannidae