Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant
VU

Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant

Culicivora caudacuta

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp-tailed_grass_tyrant

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Sharp-tailed Tyrant faces severe population declines primarily due to the conversion of its native grassland habitats to agriculture and cattle ranching across South America's Cerrado and Pampas regions. Fire suppression policies have altered the natural fire regimes that maintain the open grasslands this species requires, leading to woody encroachment and habitat degradation. Urban expansion and infrastructure development further fragment remaining suitable territories, while pesticide use in agricultural areas reduces insect prey availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Sharp-tailed Tyrant inhabits open grasslands, natural pastures, and campo limpo areas of the Cerrado and Pampas biomes, preferring areas with scattered low shrubs and termite mounds that serve as hunting perches. This species requires short to medium-height grass with minimal tree cover, typically found at elevations below 1,200 meters.

Other threatened species in Tyrannidae

Rufous CasiornisVU

Rufous Casiornis

Casiornis rufus

Unknown
Fork-tailed Tody-tyrantVU

Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant

Hemitriccus furcatus

Unknown
Subtropical DoraditoVU

Subtropical Doradito

Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis

Unknown
Foothill ElaeniaVU

Foothill Elaenia

Myiopagis olallai

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant classified as Vulnerable?
Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Sharp-tailed Tyrant faces severe population declines primarily due to the conversion of its native grassland habitats to agriculture and cattle ranching across South America's Cerrado and Pampas regions. Fire suppression policies have altered the natural fire regimes that maintain the open grasslands this species requires, leading to woody encroachment and habitat degradation. Urban expansion and infrastructure development further fragment remaining suitable territories, while pesticide use in agricultural areas reduces insect prey availability.
Where does Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant live?
Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant?
The main threats to Sharp-tailed Tyrant / Sharp-tailed Grass-Tyrant are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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