A tyrant flycatcher of 19 to 21 cm with an olive-brown back and a bright vivid yellow belly and breast. The crown has a yellow-orange patch. The bill is black and stout. The eyes are red. Unmistakable for its habit of perching on the back and head of cattle, horses, capybaras and deer to eat the insects these animals flush as they move. Its Spanish name refers to this behavior: "ox-pecker."
Behaviour
Social and confiding. It lives in groups of 2 to 8 individuals permanently associated with the livestock and megafauna of the Iberá. It perches on the large animals, walking over them to catch ticks, flies and other ectoparasites. One of the easiest birds to photograph in the Iberá.
How and when to see it
Year-round in any area with livestock or large wildlife. Impossible to miss near the herds of cattle and horses of the portals.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where cattle tyrant has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where cattle tyrant lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Navegando Ituzaingó
Private sailboat rides on the Paraná with captain Mario: sunrise, morning and sunset…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameCattle Tyrant
- Scientific nameMachetornis rixosa
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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