En bref

• Scientific Name: Myiobius barbatus
• Spanish Name: Atrapamoscas bigotudo
• Famille : Tyrannidae
• Known Nicknames: Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Whiskered Myiobius
• Average Length: 12–13 cm / 4.7–5.1 in
• Average Weight: 10–14 g / 0.35–0.49 oz
• Envergure : N/A
• Key Feature: Prominent white or yellowish whisker-like rictal bristles around the bill
• Régime alimentaire principal : Insectivore
• Range: Southern Mexico through Central America to western Ecuador, northern Bolivia, and the Amazon Basin
• Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill forest understory and edges
• Structure sociale : Solitaires ou en couples
• Nesting/Breeding: Domed nest with side entrance, often attached to a hanging branch or vine
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Évolution démographique : Stable

The Whiskered Flycatcher (*Myiobius barbatus*) is a lively and visually striking passerine bird found in the humid lowland forests of Central and South America. Its most unique characteristic is the prominent, flared "whiskers"—actually elongated rictal bristles at the base of its beak—which it uses to sense and snatch flying insects mid-air with remarkable precision. In general appearance, it sports a warm olive-brown back, a bright lemon-yellow belly, and a subtly crested, dark head, but its most special feature is a hidden patch of brilliant yellow or golden-orange feathers on its rump, which it flashes during courtship or when agitated. This active, acrobatic bird often joins mixed-species foraging flocks, where its constant tail-flicking and sharp, buzzing calls make it a captivating presence in the understory.

Faits amusants

Despite its name, the Whiskered Flycatcher isn't actually a true flycatcher; it belongs to the family Tityridae, making it more closely related to becards and tityras. Its most quirky behavior is a peculiar, slow-motion wing-flash, where it deliberately opens and closes its wings to reveal bright yellow patches, a display thought to startle insects into moving or to communicate with mates. It also has an unusual adaptation for a forest bird: it frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, acting as a bold sentinel that gives loud alarm calls to warn other species of predators.

Habitats et répartition

The Whiskered Flycatcher primarily inhabits the understory and edges of humid lowland forests, including terra firme and várzea forests, as well as secondary growth and forest clearings. It is often found near streams or swampy areas, where it forages for insects in dense vegetation. Its geographical range extends across much of the Amazon Basin, from eastern Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas south through Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia, and east across Brazil to the Atlantic coast in the states of Maranhão and Pará. It also occurs in the western Amazonian foothills of the Andes up to around 1,000 meters in elevation.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Whiskered Flycatcher is generally solitary or found in pairs, with males defending small territories during the breeding season. Courtship involves the male performing aerial displays, such as fluttery flights and tail-fanning, while vocalizing to attract a female. Mating is monogamous for the season, and both parents share nest-building duties. The nest is a cup-shaped structure often placed in a fork of a tree or shrub, woven from plant fibers and spider webs. Females lay a clutch of two to three eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female for about 15–17 days. After hatching, both parents actively feed the altricial young, and fledging occurs around 12–14 days. A notable reproductive strategy is the use of sticky spider silk in nest construction, which helps anchor the nest and may deter some predators. Additionally, these flycatchers may engage in cooperative breeding on occasion, where non-breeding helpers assist in feeding the offspring, though this is not consistently observed.

Alimentation

The Whiskered Flycatcher is almost exclusively insectivorous, with its diet consisting primarily of a wide variety of flying insects such as flies, moths, beetles, and wasps, which it captures in agile, acrobatic sallies from a perch. It employs a "hawking" strategy, darting out from an exposed branch to snatch prey mid-air, often returning to the same perch to scan for more. An interesting dietary fact is that this bird is a dedicated follower of army ant swarms, not to eat the ants themselves but to feast on the numerous insects and arthropods that flee the ants' path, a behavior known as "ant-following" which provides a rich, concentrated food source. Additionally, during the non-breeding season, it may supplement its diet with small spiders and other non-flying arthropods gleaned from foliage, though aerial insects remain its staple.

Couleurs

The Whiskered Flycatcher has an olive-brown back, a bright yellow belly, and a pale grayish throat. Its most distinctive feature is a white throat patch bordered by a dark, whisker-like malar stripe. The wings are dark with two pale wing bars, and the rump is a contrasting yellowish-olive. This coloration provides effective camouflage against the dappled light of its understory forest habitat.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Détails de l'attraction

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