Ecuadorian Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes gualaquizae)

Identification & Behavior: ~11.5 cm (4.5 in). The Ecuadorian Tyrannulet has a greenish-olive mantle. The crown is grayish. It has a pale superciliary bordered below by a dusky stripe. The wing coverts are blackish with two yellowish wing bars. The breast is olive-gray grading to yellow towards the rest of the underparts. It forages in the canopy of humid montane forests. It is similar to the Mottle-cheeked Bristle-Tyrant but is distinguished by a more prominent superciliary bordered below by a dusky stripe, wing coverts edged with yellow, and tail not maintained cocked. Also, see Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet.

Status: The Ecuadorian Tyrannulet is uncommon and very local known only from the upper Mayo Valley on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 800-1500 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Moscareta Ecuatoriana.

Sub-species: Ecuadorian Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes gualaquizae), (P. L. Sclater), 1887.

Meaning of Name: Phylloscartes: Gr. phullon = leaf and skairo= to skip, to dance. gualaquizae: From or associated with Gualaquiza, Morona-Santiago, Ecuador.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae