Pale-bellied Mourner

Overview

The pale-bellied mourner, Rhytipterna immunda, is a monotypic species of tyrant flycatcher found in South America. It is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a stable population and no immediate threats identified despite a disjunct distribution.

Identification

• 18.5 to 19 cm in length with a dull grayish olive-brown head and upperparts, featuring a slightly darker crown and browner uppertail coverts.
• Underparts are mostly grayish with a pale dingy yellowish belly and a rusty tinge on the flanks.
• Wings are duskier olive-brown with two faint wing bars and rufous edges on the primaries; the tail is browner with rufous edges on most feathers.
• Song consists of two well-separated 'Réet-je' notes where the Réet is much higher than the je, and a common call described as 'pur-treeép, cheeeuu' with a loud ringing quality.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of open landscapes such as savanna woodlands on sandy soil, scrubby low várzea woodlands, and campina, typically below 300 m in elevation. Its highly disjunct range covers parts of eastern Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and possibly French Guiana.

Diet

The diet includes insects and fruit, which are obtained by making sallies from a perch to glean from foliage while briefly hovering. It sometimes forages as part of mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

The species was originally described as Lipaugus immundus, mistakenly grouping it with the cotingas before being transferred to the genus Rhytipterna, and there is now evidence it may actually belong in the genus Myiarchus.