Cattle Tyrant

Machetornis rixosa

The feisty little flycatcher has earned its name by boldly perching on the backs of cattle and other livestock, snatching up insects stirred up by the grazing animals.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Cattle Tyrant is a small flycatcher with distinctive colouring. Its upper parts are pale olive-brown to sandy brown, while the underparts are bright yellow. The head is brownish-grey with a concealed scarlet-orange crown patch and a thin dark stripe through the eye. The throat is whitish, and the bill is thin and black.

Males and females look very similar, though females may show a buffier throat and chest, and some may lack the orange crown patch. Juvenile appearances aren't well documented in current research.

Size

Length

19cm to 21cm

Wingspan

33cm to 35cm

Weight

40g to 50g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Yellow

Secondary Colour

White Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cattle Tyrant can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cattle Tyrant can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cattle Tyrant is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cattle Tyrants are native to South America, found in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. They inhabit open grasslands, savannahs, and agricultural areas, particularly where livestock are present.

These birds are non-migratory and maintain a year-round presence in their range. They have adapted well to human-modified landscapes, often seen in pastures and on the edges of urban areas.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cattle Tyrant. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons