Strange-tailed Tyrant vs Sibilant Sirystes

In short

The Strange-tailed Tyrant and Sibilant Sirystes are both flycatchers, but they are distinguished by the male Strange-tailed Tyrant's extraordinarily long tail streamers and the Sibilant Sirystes' gray plumage with a black crown. Both species occur in parts of Argentina, but they inhabit different environments.

Identification tips

• Look for the long tail streamers in male Strange-tailed Tyrants, especially during the breeding season.
• Note the gray plumage with a black crown in Sibilant Sirystes.
• Consider habitat: Strange-tailed Tyrants in grasslands, Sibilant Sirystes in more wooded areas.
• Listen for the Sibilant Sirystes' chattering song.

Size

Both species belong to the Tyrant Flycatchers family, but the Strange-tailed Tyrant is more notable for its long tail in males, making it appear larger.

Plumage

Male Strange-tailed Tyrants have black and white plumage with pinkish or orangey skin on the throat during the breeding season, and long tail streamers. Sibilant Sirystes are gray above with a black crown, wings, and tail, and have white edging on the wing coverts and secondaries.

Behaviour

The Strange-tailed Tyrant is polygynous, with males maintaining territories for multiple females. Sibilant Sirystes are known for nesting in tree cavities.

Habitat

Strange-tailed Tyrants are found in tall grasslands of southern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Sibilant Sirystes occur in central and eastern South America, including northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil.

Voice

Sibilant Sirystes have a chattering song, which is different from the Strange-tailed Tyrant's vocalizations, though specific details on the latter are not provided.