Olive-streaked Flycatcher

Overview

The olive-streaked flycatcher (Mionectes olivaceus) is a small tyrant flycatcher native to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing despite the absence of identified immediate threats.

Identification

• A 13 cm long bird with dark olive plumage on the face, crown, and nape, contrasting with warm yellow-green upperparts and an unstreaked yellow belly.
• Features distinct white streaks on the dark olive face, including a small triangular white spot behind the eye, along with dense streaking on the throat and upper breast.
• Possesses a dark brownish grey or black bill, usually with a paler base to the mandible, and dark brown irises.
• Produces an extremely high-pitched, prolonged series of fast tinkling notes that undulate in pitch, alongside a clear, descending 'Tsew' call.

Habitat

Found in the interior and edges of humid to wet forests, secondary forests, and plantations within the lower subtropical zone, particularly favouring dense, shady, and moist undergrowth in ravines. The species occupies elevations ranging from 800 to 2,200 m in Costa Rica and 500 to 1,600 m in Panama, with some individuals moving to lower elevations seasonally.

Diet

Feeds primarily on fruits, which it hover-gleans in short sallies or picks while perched, but also includes insects in its diet. It typically forages alone in the forest understory to the middle level, though it occasionally follows army ant swarms to capture disturbed insects.

Did you know?

Despite its existence as a distinct species based on vocal differences, major ornithological committees have not yet agreed to its taxonomic split from the olive-striped flycatcher as of late 2024, leading to confusing nomenclature where the original unsplit species shared the same binomial.