Cattle Tyrant
Machetornis rixosa
About This Species
The Cattle Tyrant is a bold, ground-loving flycatcher of open pasture and grassland across South America, often seen perched on the backs of cattle or on fence posts and termite mounds. It catches insects flushed by grazing livestock, making pastures and open farmland the most reliable places to look. It is active and easy to observe throughout the year wherever cattle graze.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This confiding species can often be watched at close range without deliberate effort, but a normal courtesy distance and calm movements are still good practice around livestock and any nest.
- Wildlife regulations vary by country across its range, so check local rules if observing within a protected area.
- Avoid disturbing nests, which are often built low in shrubs or fence structures.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
293,175 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
(c) Michael Orgill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Michael Orgill
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.