White-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albifrons)

Identification & Behavior: ~24 cm (9.4 in). The White-fronted Ground-Tyrant is grayish above and whitish below. It has a variable amount of white on the forehead with some individuals having an extensive white forehead and superciliary (males), and others only limited to a small white band and reduced superciliary (females). Some individuals have a tinge of brownish on the nape area. The wings are very long. The wing coverts and flight feather are broadly edged with silvery-white, in same cases, looking as if the bird has white folded wings. It is the largest of all Ground-Tyrants and is closely associated with bogs and cushion plants. It is similar to the Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant but is distinguished by its large size, upright posture, and by being associated with bogs and cushion plant. Also, see the smaller Taczanowski’s Ground-Tyrant.

Status: The White-fronted Ground-Tyrant is generally uncommon but common in some locations with the proper habitat. It occurs at elevations ranging between 3700-4900 m. It also occurs in Bo and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Dormilona de Frente Blanca.

Sub-species: White-fronted Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola albifrons), (Tschudi), 1844.

Meaning of Name: Muscisaxicola: From the genus Muscicapa Brisson 1760 (flycatcher), and genus Saxicola (wheatear Oenanthe). albifrons: L. albus= white and frons, frontis= forehead, brow.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae