Discovering the Diverse World of Tyrant Flycatchers

One of the most familiar birds at home here in Southern California is the Black Phoebe. This tidy little flycatcher is common in yards and open areas. Its black and white body darts back and forth from a favorite perch while devouring insects, making it a welcome addition to any neighborhood. This is a handsome species that comes from a big family. It is in the family Tyrannidae or Tyrant Flycatchers. There are over 400 species in this family that are found throughout North, Central, and South America. They range in size from the tiny pygmy-tyrants that are only a few inches long to shrike-tyrants that are nearly a foot long! They earn their tyrannical name through their fierce defense of their territories. Their nature was even described by E. E. Cummings in “Kingbird”.

“For any ruffian of the sky, your kingbird doesn’t give a damn…” - E.E. Cummings, Kingbird.

The Peruvian Boobies.

As you might imagine with a group this big, there’s a lot of variety among them. Many are relatively muted in color, but some are stunningly colorful. One of the most colorful is called, appropriately, the Many-colored Rush Tyrant, and when the opportunity came to see one, we jumped at the chance!

On our recent adventure to Peru, we had a day and a half to enjoy the sights of Lima. So after a bit of research we found Gustavo Bautista (@GUSBIRDING), a local guide and researcher who was willing to lead our small group on a half-day adventure around Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa — a coastal wetland in the southern portion of Lima. This protected area has been designated as a RAMSAR site, or a wetland of international significance due to its importance as a migratory stopover for many shorebirds and waterfowl. Gustavo works in cooperation with PROHVILLA, which is an organization that maintains, protects, and provides tours at the wetlands.

The Amazalia Hummingbird.

The next morning Gustavo picked us up at our hotel. After a quick stop for coffee, we enjoyed a quick 25-minute ride through the sleepy streets of Lima. Gustavo explained that our expedition would have two parts — the first would be exploring one of the established trails, the Marvilla Trail, and then a small boat tour at Laguna Genesis, where PROHVILLA is headquartered.

Within moments of stepping out of the van, we were starting to see birds that were new to us. A trio of Chilean flamingos foraged in the shallow water, while large numbers of Andean, Gray-hooded, Gray, and Belcher’s Gulls loafed on the shoreline. Multiple species of sandpipers worked the mudflats for their breakfast. As we began our clockwise loop around the wetland, more and more birds continued to pop up in and around the vegetation. Suddenly, a brightly colored aggressive bird made its appearance! Only, this wasn’t our target. It was an Amazilia Hummingbird. Despite its relatively small size, the dazzling hummingbird with its green and red plumage and bright red bill defended its turf with aplomb! 

The Burrowing Owls.

A few minutes later, our “target tyrant” appeared! Though typically sulky in their habitat among the wetland reeds, this bird seemed to be showing off! This little flycatcher is known in some areas as “siete colores” or “seven colors”. With a blue face, white chin, yellow breast and belly, green back, red rump and crown with occasional bold streaks of white and black, it almost appeared as though this little bird had fallen into a painter’s palette. He was actively foraging, so photographs were difficult, but I did manage a few passable shots. 

After a few fist bumps at nabbing our “target bird”, we continued along the trail where the birds continued to impress (including a pair of burrowing owls). As our loop led to the beachfront we were treated to large passing flocks of Peruvian Boobys and Pelicans as well as Guanay and Neotropic Cormorants. A final scan of the water before loading back into the bus, provided another exciting first — two Humboldt Penguins bobbing in the water offshore! Our first penguins ever!

The Least Bittern.

Five minutes later, we found ourselves at Laguna Genesis. The PROHVILLA staff maintained a boardwalk and a small loop in the wetlands that can be explored by foot and small boat. Once we donned our life jackets, we motored quietly through the wetlands affording amazing looks at striated heron, least bitterns, and plumbeous rail. These are species that are notoriously difficult to observe, but for us, they were blissfully ambivalent! And as our boat glided silently back to the dock before our farewells and thank you’s to Gustavo for an amazing avian adventure, we had a quick fly-by of another Many-colored Rush Tyrant, as if to remind us who the “target” of the day was, in a day filled with so many incredible birds!

The Striated Heron.

For more information on Tyrant Flycatchers, click here.