Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher

Overview

The Amazonian scrub flycatcher, also known as Todd's scrub flycatcher, is a species of tyrant flycatcher found throughout most of mainland South America. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is considered a year-round resident of its range.

Identification

• Length of 14 to 15 cm with a weight of 14.5 to 17 g, featuring a stubby black bill and dark brown iris.
• Dark grayish brown crown that may form a shaggy crest, with a whitish to pale gray face, faint pale supercilium, and dark eye-line.
• Dusky wings displaying two wing bars from paler edges, with a dingy yellow belly transitioning gradually from a dark dusky gray breast.
• Dawn song described as a repeated, sweet 'chwedeé' or a 'slightly plaintive underslurred tseeeet', with a daytime descending call 'pzzeeew'.

Habitat

Primarily a bird of the Amazon Basin extending into the upper Orinoco River basin, found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It inhabits clearings and edges of dryish forest and woodlands, as well as watercourses in open savanna, favouring low shrubby vegetation in dryer habitats at elevations up to 1,000 m.

Diet

Feeds on arthropods and small fruits, foraging low down in shrubs and small trees. It sits erect on a perch to hover-glean or snatch food in short sallies, and also takes prey in mid-air.

Did you know?

The species is considered very local in Colombia and uncommon in Venezuela, and field guides suggest it is easily overlooked. It may actually increase in population and elevational range as primary forests are degraded.