| Phylloscartes | |
|---|---|
| Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet Phylloscartes ventralis |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Phylloscartes Cabanis & Heine, 1859 |
Phylloscartes is a genus of small birds in the Tyrannidae family. They are found in wooded habitats of Central and South America. The Mottled-cheeked Tyrannulet is among the commonest birds in its range, but several other species are rare and threatened. Their plumage is predominantly green, yellow, white and grey, and many have contrasting facial patterns and wing-bars. They have thin, pointed bills, and relatively long tails. Most frequently cock their tail, perch relatively horizontally and are very active, though the bristle-tyrants, which often are places in a separate genus, Pogonotriccus, instead, generally do not cock their tail, perch more upright and are less active. Many species share so many characteristics that identifying them to species can be highly difficult. They mainly feed on small arthropods, and most commonly take part in mixed species flocks.