tyrannulet

/ti ran"yeuh lit/, n.

any of numerous flycatchers of tropical America belonging to several genera and having in common chiefly their small size.

[ < NL Tyrannul(us) genus name (see TYRANT, -ULE) + -ET]

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▪ bird

      any of about 50 species of birds in the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae (order Passeriformes). They are distinguished from other tyrant flycatchers by their small size and diminutive bill. The name tyrannulet is given to members of about 20 genera within the family. Fairly typical of the group and among the most widely distributed are the 9-centimetre (3.5-inch) beardless tyrannulets of the genus Camptostoma. The northern form, C. imberbe, occurs north to Texas and Arizona (where it is called the beardless flycatcher), and the southern form, C. obsoletum, is found as far south as Argentina; their ranges meet in Costa Rica. The birds are called beardless for lack of bristles at the corners of the mouth.

      Some tyrannulets, like the bent bills (Oncostoma), regularly build their nest near aggressive wasps, which do not harm the birds but will attack other intruders.

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