About Ochthoeca leucophrys (Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
The white-browed chat-tyrant, scientifically named Ochthoeca leucophrys (Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837), measures 14.5 to 15.5 cm (5.7 to 6.1 in) in length. Both sexes have identical plumage. Adult individuals of the nominate subspecies O. l. leucophrys have a dark gray to grayish brown crown, a wide white supercilium that starts at the lores and extends well past the eye, and a blackish "mask". Their upperparts are a slightly lighter shade of gray to grayish brown than the crown, with a faint cinnamon tinge on the lower back and rump. Their wings are duskier gray, with two faint cinnamon wing bars. Their tail is dusky, and the outermost tail feathers have white outer webs. Their throat and underparts are pale gray, fading to whitish on the crissum. Juveniles have an overall brownish tinge and conspicuous wing bars. The species' other subspecies differ from the nominate and from one another as follows: O. l. leucometopa has darker upperparts than the nominate with no cinnamon, and white edges on the remiges. O. l. urubambae resembles leucometopa but has a slightly paler crown. O. l. interior resembles urubambae but is slightly darker overall. O. l. dissors is intermediate between urubambae and interior. O. l. tucumana has more cinnamon on the back and rump than the nominate, with more distinct wing bars and slightly paler underparts. The white-browed chat-tyrant lives in the western Andean highlands, with each subspecies occupying a distinct range. O. l. dissors is found in southern Azuay and northern Loja provinces in far southern Ecuador, and in the upper valley of the Maranon River in northern Peru. O. l. interior occurs in Huánuco and Pasco departments in central Peru. O. l. urubambae lives in central and southern Peru, from Junín Department south to northeastern Ayacucho and Cuzco departments. O. l. leucometopa ranges from Ancash Department in western Peru south to the Arica y Parinacota Region of far northern Chile. O. l. leucophrys is found in western Bolivia. O. l. tucumana occurs in northwestern Argentina, from Salta Province south to San Juan Province. The white-browed chat-tyrant inhabits dry montane forest and Polylepis woodlands. It favors ravines, gorges, and grassy slopes, and is often found near water, such as along streams. It also frequently occurs in cultivated areas that contain hedgerows. Its elevation range varies by location: it is found between 2,200 and 2,800 m (7,200 and 9,200 ft) in Ecuador, between 2,400 and 4,200 m (7,900 and 13,800 ft) in Peru, and between 2,000 and 3,500 m (6,600 and 11,500 ft) in Bolivia and Argentina.
