River Tyrannulet

About the River Tyrannulet

The river tyrannulet (Serpophaga hypoleuca) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The river tyrannulet has three subspecies, the nominate S. h. hypoleuca (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1866), S. h. venezuelana (Zimmer, JT, 1940), and S. h. pallida (Snethlage, E, 1907).

The river tyrannulet is 10.5 to 12.5 cm (4.1 to 4.9 in) long and weighs 5.5 to 6.7 g (0.19 to 0.24 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a gray forehead and a black crown with white central feathers that are usually hidden; the black extends as a flat crest. They have white lores, a white partial eye-ring, and a black line through the eye on an otherwise white face. Their upperparts are brownish gray. Their wings are dusky brownish gray and their tail long and dusky. Their chin, throat, and underparts are white with a pale gray tinge across the breast. Subspecies S. h. venezuelana is smaller and paler than the nominate with less black on its crown. S. h. pallida is also paler than the nominate, with less black on its crown and almost no... Wikipedia →