A large and long-winged ground-tyrant of the Andes and southern Patagonia, the Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant is distinguished by its pale brownish-gray plumage and distinctive pale ochre patch on the rear crown and upper nape. The white forehead and supercilium contrast with darker wings and a mostly black tail edged white.
Strongly terrestrial, it often stands upright while foraging and frequently performs a characteristic tail-scissoring motion, rapidly opening and closing its tail. Its flight is typically fast, low, and swooping over open terrain.
Two subspecies are recognized: the more northern flavinucha and the southern brevirostris, though the limits of their breeding and nonbreeding ranges remain imperfectly understood.
Conservation note
Listed as Least Concern, with a broad distribution estimated at over one million square kilometers and a generally stable population trend. It occurs in numerous protected areas across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Localized habitat degradation from overgrazing may affect some breeding sites, and future impacts of climate change on high-elevation habitats remain uncertain. Overall, the species remains fairly common within suitable environments across its extensive range.
