Alectrurus tricolor (Vieillot 1816)

Whilst normally insectivorous, a female cock-tailed tyrant has been seen feeding fruit to her two fledglings. Breeding occurs between September and October, coinciding with the start of the wet season. The cock-tailed tyrant is migratory in some areas (2).

Found in Emas National Park, Gama-Cabeça de Veado Environmental Protection Area, Brasília National Park, Seera da Canastra National Park and Säo Miguel Wildlife Sanctuary in Brazil, as well as San Rafael National Park and Tapytá Private Nature Reserve in Paraguay, the cock-tailed should find some protection, although enforcement of the boundaries of protected areas is often poor. Surveys to determine the status of this species are necessary. In addition, controlling dry season burning and encouraging farmers to set aside areas of tall grass will help to halt the continuing decline of this species (2).

A displaying species, the male cock-tailed tyrant flaunts elongated tail feathers that fan out in a crescent. Males are mostly black above, with a grey rump and white between the top of the wings. There is a black patch on the sides of the breast and the tail is black. In strong contrast, the face and underparts are white. Females are similar to males, but are brown rather than black and have a normal-shaped, short tail (2).

The cock-tailed tyrant inhabits seasonally wet and dry grasslands, preferring areas with tall vegetation. It was thought to avoid freshly burnt areas, but has been seen feeding in them on several occasions (2).

Although it occupies a very large range, covering north and east Bolivia, south Brazil, east Paraguay and north Argentina, the cock-tailed tyrant is patchily distributed and scarce within this area (2).

The cock-tailed tyrant is classified as Vulnerable (VU A2c +3c) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1).

As a permanent occupant of grasslands, the cock-tailed tyrant is threatened by habitat loss due to agricultural development, live-stock farming, plantations and mining throughout its range. As it relies upon tall grassland, it is particularly vulnerable to the effects of intensive livestock grazing, trampling and regular burning (2).

Alectruris tricolor (Vieillot)

Dr. R. D. Etchecopar informs us that he has in his collection a set containing 1 egg of this flycatcher and 2 of the shiny cowbird, taken in Tucumán, Argentina by Luis Dinelli over 70 years ago. The record somehow never was published until now; it adds the present species to the parasite's host catalog.

WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT

The cock-tailed tyrant (Alectrurus tricolor) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.