Strange Tails

Strange Tails

We're delighted to have a strong population of strange-tailed tyrants at the reserve. So much so that we've adopted these beautiful and endangered birds as the symbol of the Trust

The growing diversity of the animals of Reserva Don Luis is a fresh source of delight every time we return.  We don't play favourites, but it's impossible not to engage more with some of our more conspicuous guests.  One of these is the strange-tailed tyrant.  The male is stoic in his tolerance of one of nature's strangest - and it would seem least practical - adaptations.  He's willing to suffer to be beautiful, and somehow manages to fly with tail feathers that were surely designed for a bird three times his size.

We love his perseverance; his resolution to succeed against challenge, and his ability to prove that anything is possible.  He's appearing in growing numbers on the Reserva Do Luis, and his success has become an allegory for, and a symbol of, our own.

When we started the process of updating and redesigning our website, we wanted to adopt an image that symbolised our aims and our challenges.  This brave little flycatcher, with his indomitable character, was the perfect choice.

The logo is a stylised profile of a male tyrant, silhouetted against the sunrise.  We coloured the sun the blue of the Argentinian flag in honour of this country's beauty, its climate and the breathtaking span of magnificent animals that it nurtures.

More about strange-tailed tyrants>>

Platyrrhinus lineatus

Bat Research

Our bat team is conducting bat research both in the Ibera Marshes and in other provinces. We are especially concentrating on Misiones at the moment where we find the largest bat in Argentina, Chrotopterus auriitus and Myotis ruber, two species that we are researching.

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Crested Becard (Pachyramphus validus)

Crested Becard

Pachyramphus validus

The Crested Becard is a migrant that nests in Argentina and migrates north in the winter.  It is a member of the Cotingidae family.  Unusually for birds, it is the female that is the more attractive.

This bird nests at our reserve although it is not common.  It is usually seen mid to high level in the trees.

The male has a black or dark grey upperparts with a black crown which he raises at times.  The underparts are pale grey.

The female has bright rufous upperparts and a pale cinnamon breast.  She also has a dark grey cap which reaches below the eyes.

Crested Becard (female)

 

Crested Becard (juv)

Pachyramphus validus

 

 

 

 

 

View in taxonomic list