Tyrant-flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

Variegated Bristle-tyrant (Pogonotriccus poecilotis) - HBW 9, p. 303

French: Tyranneau varié German: Zimtbinden-Laubtyrann Spanish: Orejerito Variegado

Taxonomy: Leptopogon poecilotis P. L. Sclater, 1862, “Bogota”, Colombia.
Genus previously merged with Phylloscartes, and that treatment retained by many authors; despite superficial similarities, however, the two groups differ significantly in foraging behaviour and postures, possibly also in details of nest (little known), and perhaps are not even closely related to one another. Birds from extreme NW Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá) described as race pifanoi, supposedly with somewhat more blackish crown, but this difference virtually imperceptible and may represent individual variation. Monotypic.

Distribution: NW Venezuela (Sierra de Perijá, Mérida) and Andes of Colombia, E Ecuador and Peru (Cajamarca and San Martín S, locally, to Puno).