Birds
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant
Muscisaxicola maclovianus
Running and hopping across the open grassland of Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, the dark-faced ground-tyrant hunts insects close to the ground, its sharply contrasting dark facial mask visible from a distance against pale plumage.
Overview
The dark-faced ground-tyrant, Muscisaxicola maclovianus, is a Least Concern tyrant flycatcher breeding across southern Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. Among the southernmost of all ground-tyrants, it favors open grassland and coastal flats, hunting mainly by foraging across exposed ground rather than through aerial flycatching alone.
A southern migrant
After breeding in Patagonia and the Falklands, the dark-faced ground-tyrant moves north into lower latitudes of South America for the austral winter, returning south again as conditions improve.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and secure across its broad breeding range in southern South America and the Falkland Islands.
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant: common questions
Why is it called the dark-faced ground-tyrant?
It shows a conspicuous dark facial mask that contrasts sharply with its otherwise pale grey-brown plumage, a feature that gives the species its common name.
What does the dark-faced ground-tyrant eat?
It is an insectivore, hunting insects and other small invertebrates mainly by running and hopping across open ground rather than relying on aerial flycatching alone.
Does the dark-faced ground-tyrant migrate?
Yes, it breeds in Patagonia and the Falkland Islands and moves north into lower latitudes of South America outside the austral breeding season.
Where does the dark-faced ground-tyrant live?
It breeds across southern Argentina and Chile and the Falkland Islands, favoring open grassland and sparsely vegetated coastal flats.