The Andean negrito (''Lessonia oreas'') is a species of bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family Tyrannidae found in the

Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...

in South America. It is closely related to, and was long considered to be the same species as, the

Austral negrito The austral negrito or Patagonian negrito (''Lessonia rufa'') is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It breeds in Argentina and Chile, migrating north as far as Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is a vagrant to the Falkl ...

of southern South America. The species is monotypic, having no subspecies.

Description

The Andean negrito is around long, with males being slightly larger. It is sexually dimorphic in its

plumage Plumage ( "feather") is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, ...

; males having black plumage with a rufous back and silvery-white

flight feather Flight feathers (''Pennae volatus'') are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired pennaceous feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges (), singular remex (), while those on the tail ...

s (that are only noticeable in flight). The female has a rufous back as well but the undersides and head are sooty and the upperparts are blackish brown. The throat is whitish and the breast tinged with dull rufous. The species has exceptionally long hindclaws, like those of a pipit.

Distribution and habitat

The Andean negrito ranges through the mountainous regions of central Peru south into western Bolivia, down into north eastern Chile and northern Argentina. It is most commonly found between above sea level, but may go higher in Peru or drop down to in Chile. It lives around lakes, streams and bogs and in seasonally flooded plains, in areas with low ground cover. The species is non-migratory.

Behaviour

The Andean negrito is a terrestrial insect hunter that is found in pairs or small family groups. It often perches on elevated tussocks or rocks to watch for prey. Prey is either sallied after on the wing from on or close to the ground, or chased after on foot. Little is known about its breeding behaviour. In Chile it breeds between October and January. Males perform a fluttering display flight that goes in the air. Nests are simple cups hidden inside tussock grass, into which 3–4 eggs are laid.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1272307

Andean negrito The Andean negrito (''Lessonia oreas'') is a species of bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family Tyrannidae found in the Andes in South America. It is closely related to, and was long considered to be the same species as, the Austral negrito of south ...

Birds of the Andes Birds of the Puna grassland

Taxonomy articles created by Polbot