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STRANECK´S TYRANNULET Serpophaga griseicapilla
In the mid 1980s the famous Argentinian sound recordist Roberto Straneck was confused by what appeared to be White-crested Tyrannulets that called completely differently from the usual voice of the species. Further studies revealed the subtlest of plumage differences and it became clear to him that a second, hitherto undiscovered, cryptic species was involved. The cryptic species (which was formally described in 2008) has since been found in Paraguay too, where it is at least as widespread as the White-crested. Despite the similarity, vocal studies suggest that the two may not even be particularly closely-related, the cryptic species sounding more like tyrannulets of the genus Inezia.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE818PH) Adult, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE819PH) Adult upperwing, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
VIDEO - (FPAVE820VI) Adult, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
This newly described cryptic species is extremely similar to but vocally quite different from White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata. Note the supercilium broken just over the eye and that no white crest is visible. However failure to observe a white crest in the field does not necessarily mean this species as White-crested Tyrannulet often keeps the crest hidden. Vocally they are closer to the Plain Tyrannulet Inezia inornata.
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2