Bird 112 – Cattle Tyrant

So I know everyone loves unlikely animal duos. Think of Timon and Pumbaa, the wise-cracking Meerkat atop his faithful Warthog companion. 

Well, what if I was to tell you there was a similar relationship going on in South America? Allow me to introduce you to the Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosa)

This cute little New World Flycatcher is from the same family of our old friend, the Many-colored Rush Tyrant. 

They flit about grassy areas, following larger animals to catch the insects they disturb. But the Cattle Tyrant has a unique relationship with one animal in particular, the Capybara. Here’s one riding atop its noble steed.

The Capybara is the world’s largest rodent. Think of them as like a giant guinea pig. The Cattle Tyrant rides the Capybara as they graze, waiting for insects to fly up. Although they do eat the odd horsefly that tires to bite the Capybara, for the most part the two are rather indifferent to each other. But that doesn’t stop them from looking adorable together.

Does a pond need to be crossed, just ride your Capybara.

Does a crime need to be solved, instant odd couple duo. One is a Capybara two weeks from retirement who’s too old for this shit, the other is a plucky young Cattle Tyrant eager to make a name for itself, together they’re about to crack this case wide open. I call the show Cattle Rustlin’. It’s a detective noir, meets western, sent in Argentina. I’d watch it.

Once again, they are proof that the world of birds has delights to throw up from the most unlikely of places.

19/01/2020