Bright-rumped Attila

The bright-rumped attila, also known as the polymorphic attila (Attila spadiceus), is a small yet robust passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. This species exhibits a large head with a distinctive hooked and slightly upturned bill, an upright posture, and a striking bright yellow rump that contrasts with its otherwise chestnut or olive back. It measures approximately 7 inches (18 cm) in length and weighs around 1.4 oz (40 g). Both sexes are similar in appearance, with olive-green streaked heads, dark brown wings adorned with pale wing bars, and a whitish or yellow throat. The belly is white, transitioning to yellow near the tail, and the iris is a vivid red. Juveniles can be recognized by their cinnamon-fringed crown and brown eyes.

Identification Tips

The bright-rumped attila's plumage is highly variable, but key identification features include the streaking on the underparts and the conspicuous wing bars. When identifying this species, listen for its calls, which include a loud "beat-it, beat-it" and a plaintive "ooo weery weery weery weery woo." Despite its vocal nature, the bird often remains stationary while singing, making it a challenge to spot.

Habitat

This adaptable bird is commonly found from lowlands up to elevations of 7,000 ft (2,100 m) ASL. It thrives in a variety of environments, including forests, secondary growth, pastures, plantations with trees, and shaded gardens. The bright-rumped attila shows a remarkable ability to tolerate habitat alteration.

Distribution

The bright-rumped attila's range extends from northwestern Mexico through to western Ecuador, Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil, as well as on the island of Trinidad.

Behaviour

The bright-rumped attila is known for its active, aggressive, and vocal nature, often encountered alone. It is an adept hunter, preying on insects, spiders, frogs, and lizards, which it captures from vegetation or the ground. It is also known to follow army ant columns and consume a variety of fruits and seeds.

Song & Calls

The species' vocalizations are quite distinctive, with a variety of calls that can be heard throughout its range. Central American populations exhibit slight variations in song structure and tend towards lighter ochre plumage, which has led to discussions about subspecies classification based on these differences.

Breeding

The bright-rumped attila constructs a deep cup-shaped nest composed of mosses, leaves, and plant fibers, typically situated below 3 meters in height among epiphytes, between buttress roots, or in a bank. The female lays a clutch of 3–4 eggs, which are dull white or pink with lilac or rufous markings. Incubation lasts for 18-19 days, with fledging occurring approximately 18 days post-hatching.

Similar Species

While the bright-rumped attila's plumage is variable, its streaked underparts and wing bars are helpful in distinguishing it from other species within the genus Attila.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the bright-rumped attila includes insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, fruits, and seeds. It is an opportunistic feeder, taking advantage of various food sources available in its habitat.

Conservation Status

The bright-rumped attila is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction.