Rufous-tailed Flatbill

Overview

The rufous-tailed flatbill (Ramphotrigon ruficauda) is a species of tyrant flycatcher found throughout much of mainland South America, excluding the southernmost regions. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although its population size is unknown and believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Measures 15 to 16 cm in length and weighs between 17 and 26 g.
• Features a dark olive-green upper body with bright rufous uppertail coverts and a bright rufous tail.
• Wings are mostly blackish with wide bright rufous edges on flight feathers and two distinct rufous wing bars.
• Underparts consist of a grayish throat, a mixed olive-green and yellow breast, and an olive-green belly with a yellow center.
• Possesses a flat black bill with a pale cream or pink base to the mandible, and bluish gray or gray legs.

Habitat

This species inhabits humid evergreen forests, including both várzea and terra firme types, as well as wooded savanna in Brazil. Its range covers the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield, extending from southeastern Colombia through eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and northwestern Bolivia to encompass southern and eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and Amazonian Brazil. It is a year-round resident found at elevations from sea level up to 700 m in Colombia and Peru, though typically lower in other parts of its range.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on insects and some berries, typically foraging in the forest's mid-story. It usually operates singly or in pairs and seldom joins mixed-species feeding flocks. Prey is captured by making sallies from a perch to foliage or twigs, after which the bird usually returns to a different perch.

Did you know?

The dawn song is described as a low mewing whistle ending with a higher hiccup, sounding like 'meeoooOOoo'WEEpur!', while day vocalisations are noted as a high, slow, mournful weaeaea-wur. One of the few known nests was discovered in a cavity within a partially rotted stump and contained crimson-spotted creamy eggs.