A tyrant flycatcher approximately 17 cm (6.7 in) long, with a slender appearance, relatively long tail, and a thin bluish-gray bill with a black tip. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. The male is entirely black, with a broad white wing patch formed by the bases of the primaries and secondaries, usually hidden while perched but highly conspicuous in flight and during aerial displays. The iris is dark, often with reddish tones. The female is highly variable, showing brownish or olive-gray upperparts, two conspicuous pale wingbars, a cinnamon-rufous rump and tail base, and a contrasting face highlighted by a distinctive dark crescent-shaped auricular mark behind the eye. The underparts are buff or cinnamon, generally uniform and with little or no streaking. It may be confused especially with the Hudson´s Black Tyrant (Knipolegus hudsoni), a closely related species with which it may coexist mainly during the austral winter migration. The male of that species has a small white patch on the flanks and often displays distinctive behaviors and display flights. Females are very similar, but the Hudson´s Black Tyrant usually has a grayer breast and flanks with faint streaking, whereas the female White-winged Black Tyrant typically shows more uniformly buff or cinnamon underparts, a more contrasting face with a prominent dark auricular crescent behind the eye, and a more evident rufous-cinnamon rump. In other regions and at different times of the year, it may also occur alongside other species of the genus.
Geographic distribution: It ranges from northern Peru and Bolivia south to western and southern Argentina, reaching northern and central Patagonia. In Argentina, it exhibits a complex population dynamic. Northwestern populations are mainly resident, inhabiting dry valleys and intermontane ravines from Jujuy to Catamarca, mostly between 2,000 and 3,200 m above sea level, with occasional records approaching 3,500 m. Southern populations are migratory, moving during winter toward eastern and northeastern Argentina, primarily reaching the Chaco region, as well as Paraguay and occasionally Uruguay.
Habitat: It inhabits open and semi-arid environments, including the Monte, Espinal, montane shrublands, Puna ravines, cardón cactus stands, and open woodlands. In northwestern Argentina it is characteristic of dry ravines, slopes, and temporary watercourses, frequently associated with giant cacti, shrubs, and scattered trees, sometimes sharing habitat and behavior with the Common Black-Tyrant (Agriornis micropterus) (personal obs.). In Patagonia it occupies shrubby steppes, canyons, rocky slopes, wet meadow edges, and shrublands dominated by creosote bushes (Larrea spp.) and neneo (Mulinum spinosum), frequently using shrubs, rocks, and fence posts as perches.
Diet: It feeds primarily on insects and other small arthropods, capturing them through short sallies from exposed perches, aerial pursuits, or by descending to the ground and into vegetation.
Behavior: It is generally observed alone. Males usually perch on dry branches, large cardón cacti, fence posts, or prominent rocks, from which they frequently sally out to capture prey. During the breeding season they perform striking aerial displays consisting of nearly vertical ascents followed by a controlled descent back to the same perch, accompanied by a characteristic high-pitched trill and mechanical wing snaps produced during the display, giving rise to its common name. Females are usually more inconspicuous and often remain hidden among the vegetation.
Breeding: It builds a cup-shaped nest made of twigs, plant fibers, hair, and feathers, placed low in shrubs or small trees and only exceptionally on the ground. The clutch usually consists of two to three whitish or cream-colored eggs with reddish or reddish-brown spots concentrated toward one end.
Conservation status: Classified globally as Least Concern (LC), with no significant known threats across most of its range. In Argentina it is a relatively common species in suitable habitats, although local populations may be affected by shrubland modification, degradation of dry ravines, and the loss of native shrubby habitats.
Author of this compilation: María Belén Dri and Diego Carús – 07/12/2026