Grey-hooded attila

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Grey-hooded attila
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Attila
Species:
A. rufus
Binomial name
Attila rufus
(Vieillot, 1819)
Synonyms

The grey-hooded attila (Attila rufus) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is endemic to Brazil.[2]

Taxonomy and systematics

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The grey-hooded attila was originally described as Tyrannus rufus.[3] From early in the twentieth century until the 1970s many authors classified genus Attila in family Cotingidae; after that it was recognized as belonging to family Tyrannidae.[4]

The grey-hooded attila has two subspecies, the nominate A. r. rufous (Vieillot, 1819) and A. r. hellmayri (Pinto, 1935).[2]

Description

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The grey-hooded attila is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 36.5 to 51.5 g (1.3 to 1.8 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a gray head and nape. Their upperparts are mostly deep rufous with a paler cinnamon-rufous rump and tail. Their wings are mostly deep rufous with blackish primaries. Their chin is gray with white streaks. Their breast is rufous and their belly a paler yellowish rufous. Subspecies A. r. hellmayri has a whitish chin and rufous throat. Adults of both subspecies have a dark iris, a longish bill with a dark maxilla and a whitish to grayish mandible, and gray legs and feet. Juveniles have an all-black bill.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

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The grey-hooded attila is found in eastern and southeastern Brazil. Subspecies A. r. hellmayri is the more northerly of the two. It is found in central and southern Bahia. The nominate subspecies is found from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo south to northeastern Rio Grande do Sul. The species inhabits humid forest and scrublands from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft).[5][6]

Behavior

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Movement

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The grey-hooded attila is believed to be a year-round resident.[5]

Feeding

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The grey-hooded attila primarily feeds on large arthropods and also includes fruit in its diet. It typically forages singly or in pairs and sometimes joins mixed-species feeding flocks. It forages at all levels on the forest including on the ground. It perches quietly and takes prey and fruit from foliage and branches while briefly hovering after a short sally.[5]

Breeding

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Grey-hooded attila nests have been found in a tree trunk, in a tree fern, and in a cavity in an earthen bank. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding biology.[5]

Dickcissel male perched on a metal pole singing, with neck stretched and beak open.

Songs and calls
Listen to the grey-hooded attila on xeno-canto

Vocalization

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The grey-hooded attila's song is a "slow series of 4-7 emphasized, fluted whee notes, which gradually rise in pitch and strength before the last one, which fades out".[6] It also makes a "softer shorter wee, tee-tee-pu whistle" and an "éé-ew whistle".[5]

Status

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The IUCN has assessed the grey-hooded attila as being of Least Concern. Its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is considered uncommon to fairly common and occurs in several protected areas.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2018). "Grey-hooded Attila Attila rufus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22700350A130206689. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22700350A130206689.en. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (March 2025). "Tyrant flycatchers". IOC World Bird List. v 15.1. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  3. ^ Une Société de Naturalistes et d'Agriculteurs (1819). Nouveau dictionnaire d’histoire naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l’agriculture, à l’économie rurale et domestique, à la médecine, etc (in French). Vol. XXXV. Chez Deterville. p. 87. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, G. Del-Rio, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 31 July 2025. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved July 31, 2025
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Walther, B. (2020). Gray-hooded Attila (Attila rufus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gyhatt1.01 retrieved August 9, 2025
  6. ^ a b c d van Perlo, Ber (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 330–331. ISBN 978-0-19-530155-7.
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