Abra Málaga, Cuzco, Peru; 17 December 2004 © Joe Tobias

This beautiful tyrant flycatcher, placed in its own genus, should prove readily identifiable within its Andean distribution. Above, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant is largely dark brown, becoming paler and grayer over the head, with a dark-streaked throat, and then orange-red over most of the underparts, while the tail has extensive orange-red sides, which are obvious in flight. It is generally uncommon, in places even rare, but is found from northern Colombia south to central Bolivia, and at elevations between 2850 and 4300 m. Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant is usually encountered alone, usually perched conspicuously on a wire, a fencepost, or a wall. It has sometimes been placed in the genus Xolmis, with the monjitas, but most recent authorities prefer to retain a monotypic genus for this distinctive tyrant.

Recommended Citation

Schulenberg, Thomas S., and Guy M. Kirwan. 2012. Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant (Cnemarchus erythropygius), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; retrieved from Neotropical Birds Online: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=467596