Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maclovianus)

Identification & Behavior: ~16 cm (6.2 in). The Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant is gray above and light gray below. The forehead and face are blackish. It has a dark brown crown. Some individuals have a rufous chin but can be difficult to observe in the field. It forages in open grasslands interspersed with shrubs and other similar habitats including plowed agricultural fields. It is similar to a Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant but is distinguished by larger size and distinctive blackish face.

Status: The Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant is a common Austral migrant to the coast of northwest Peru and adjacent foothills. It is expected in Peru during the month of April through October. The Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant also occurs in Ec and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Dormilona de Cara Oscura.

Sub-species: Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maclovianus mentalis), d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1837.

Meaning of Name: Muscisaxicola: From the genus Muscicapa Brisson 1760 (flycatcher), and genus Saxicola (wheatear Oenanthe). maclovianus: Îles Malouines (named after fishermen and explorers from St. Malo, France).

See more of the Family Tyrannidae