- Myiotriccus ornatus
Identification
12cm (4 3/4 inches) in length. Unmistakable due to its coloring and there are no similar species in its range.
- Gunmetal grey head and throat, blacker on face and crown
- Conspicuous white preocular patches and a slight yellow coronal stripe which may not be apparent at first sight
- Dark olive back with a bright yellow rump
- Tail variable: rufous (eastern slope of Andes) or dusky with rufous or yellow base (western slope)
- Dark olive breast
- Bright yellow belly
Sexes alike. Females are slightly smaller than males. Juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Eastern and western slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Fairly common to common.
Taxonomy
Four subspecies recognized:
- M. o. ornatus in the central Andes and western slopes at northern end of range in Colombia
- M. o. stellatus in western Colombia and western Ecuador
- M. o. phoenicurus in eastern Andes of southeast Colombia, eastern Ecuador and Peru
- M. o. aureiventris in central and southeast Peru
Habitat
Is very common in the borders of foothill and subtropical forest on both slopes.
Generally ranging from 800 - 2,000 meters (2,600 - 6,600 feet) but can be found lower in the NW, spreading into the humid lowlands.
Behaviour
Often seen in pairs though not accompanying other flocks. They generally perch close together at low to middle heights. They can be seen making short flights into the air for insects and can occasionally be seen going to the ground. A very active bird going from branch to branch in short jumps.
A single found nest was cup-shaped and made of rootlets. It was placed 1.3m above the ground on a steep earth bank and contained one nestling.
A resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2004. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 9: Cotingas to Pipits and Wagtails. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334696
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Ornate Flycatcher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 July 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Ornate_Flycatcher
