Great Shrike-Tyrant

Gaucho Grande

Agriornis livida

Length: 305mm. Sexes alike. Bill dark brown with brownish grey mandible; iris brown; upper part of head, auriculars, hind neck, back and rump greyish ochraceous brown; uppertail coverts dark brown. Throat whitish with blackish brown streaks; foreneck and breast greyish ochraceous brown, paler than back; flanks ochraceous brown; belly and undertail coverts cinnamon ochraceous; wing coverts as back; remiges brown, axillaries cinnamon ochraceous; rectrices dark brown with outer vexillum of external feather on both sides whitish. Legs blackish.

Average weight: 110g. Its coloration, relatively large size and silent nature identify this species. Habitat and behaviour: open woodland and shrubby fields in the Andean and sub-Andean region, where it may be observed often perched with its typical silhouette. Its flight is markedly undulating. The Great Shrike-Tyrant feeds on small animals such as lizards, frogs, voles, small birds and their eggs, as well as insects. It builds a large nest with branches and grass where up to three cream-coloured eggs with red speckles on the thick end are laid. During the breeding season it emits a whistle, while remaining silent the rest of the year. Found solitary or in pairs. Range: along the Andean region and adjacent areas from Neuquén to Tierra del Fuego.