Birds
Austral Negrito
Lessonia rufa
Flashing a bright white wing patch against otherwise jet-black plumage, a male austral negrito perches low over Patagonian wetlands, showing one of the sharpest differences between the sexes of any songbird found in the region.
Overview
The austral negrito, Lessonia rufa, is a Least Concern bird native to wetland and grassland habitat across Patagonia and adjacent regions of southern South America. Its striking sexual difference in plumage, its low-perching hunting style, and its seasonal migration make it one of the more visually distinctive tyrant flycatchers found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
Two very different looks, one species
A male and female austral negrito look so different that they could easily be mistaken for separate species, the male’s bold black-and-white pattern standing in sharp contrast to the female’s understated brown plumage.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable wetland and grassland habitat throughout Patagonia and adjacent regions.
Austral Negrito: common questions
How do male and female austral negritos differ?
This species shows a striking difference between the sexes, with males almost entirely jet black and marked with a bright white wing patch, while females are a much plainer brown.
Where does the austral negrito hunt for food?
This species typically perches low near water, making short sallies to catch passing insects before returning to the same perch, a hunting style shared with many tyrant flycatchers.
Does the austral negrito migrate?
Yes, this species undertakes seasonal migration, moving to different parts of its range outside the breeding season in response to changing conditions.
What family does the austral negrito belong to?
This species belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family, one of the largest bird families in the Americas, despite its common name referencing its dark colouring rather than its taxonomy.