Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris, is a robust member of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is a bird that captures the eye with its streaked appearance and the contrast of its pale yellow underparts.

Identification Tips

This species can be identified by its heavy streaking across the plumage and a distinctive pale yellow belly. It also features a rusty brown tail and a prominent black eyestripe, which are key characteristics to look for when spotting this bird.

Habitat

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is typically found in the woodlands of montane canyons, where it thrives at elevations ranging from 1000 to 2000 meters.

Distribution

Breeding populations of this flycatcher are found from the southeasternmost Arizona in the United States, through the Madrean sky islands region of Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northern Sonora, Mexico, down to Costa Rica. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to the eastern Andean foothills of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, and are also observed as passage migrants in the southern regions of Central America.

Behaviour

These birds exhibit a hunting technique known as 'hawking'; they wait on an open perch, often high in the trees, and then fly out to catch insects in mid-flight. They are also known to consume berries and seeds.

Song & Calls

The call of the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is quite distinctive, reminiscent of the sound produced by squeaky toys, which can be a helpful cue when trying to locate these birds in the wild.

Breeding

The female Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher lays two to four eggs in a cup nest, which is typically situated within a tree cavity or an old woodpecker hole, providing a secure environment for the developing chicks.

Diet and Feeding

In addition to their insectivorous habits, these flycatchers will also partake in berries and seeds, making their diet quite varied.

Conservation status

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation concern.