Citron-bellied Attila

Overview

The citron-bellied attila (Attila citriniventris) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is a year-round resident found across a disjunct distribution in the western Amazon Basin, ranging from Colombia and Venezuela to Brazil and Peru.

Identification

• Measures 18 to 18.5 cm in length and weighs between 30 and 38 g.
• Features a dark gray crown and face with rufous-brown upperparts and a paler cinnamon-rufous rump.
• Underparts are bright ochraceous, yellower on the belly, with faint dusky streaks on the lower throat and breast.
• Song consists of 4–6 loud, rapid, slightly rising whee whistles followed by lower-pitched wu, or a flat-pitched whee-whee-whee-whee-whee.

Habitat

It primarily inhabits the interior and edges of terra firme forest in the western Amazon Basin. Its range extends from eastern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into Venezuela and Brazil, reaching elevations of up to 500 m in Brazil. Scattered populations also exist further west in Colombia and in the extreme northeast of Bolivia.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on large arthropods and also consumes fruit. It forages from the forest's mid-story to the canopy, typically taking prey and fruit by gleaning from vegetation after a short sally from a perch.

Did you know?

Although it has a very large range and is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, its population size is unknown and is believed to be decreasing.