Rufous-browed Tyrannulet

About the Rufous-browed Tyrannulet

The rufous-browed tyrannulet (Phylloscartes superciliaris) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and possibly Peru. The rufous-browed tyrannulet was originally described in 1868 as Leptotriccus superciliaris. It was later transferred to genus Mecocerculus and then to its present genus Phylloscartes. Though relationships among members of Phylloscartes have not been fully resolved, it appears that the rufous-browed tyrannulet's closest relatives are the rufous-lored tyrannulet (P. flaviventris) and the cinnamon-faced tyrannulet (P. parkeri).

The rufous-browed tyrannulet has three subspecies, the nominate P. s. superciliaris (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1868), P. s. palloris (Griscom, 1935), and P. s. griseocapillus (Phelps, WH & Phelps, WH Jr, 1952). However, "their validity has been questioned ".

The rufous-browed tyrannulet is 9.5 to 12 cm (3.7 to 4.7 in) long; three individuals weighed 7 to 9 g (0.25 to 0.32 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. The forecrown and lores of nominate adults are bright chestnut that extends to the rear as a thin supercilium... Wikipedia →