Amazonian Royal Flycatcher

The Tropical Royal Flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus, is a passerine bird of notable elegance. This species, with its approximate length of 12.5 to 18 cm and weight ranging from 9.7 to 21 grams, is adorned with an erectile fan-shaped crest that is a vivid red with blue tips in males and yellow or orange in females. The plumage of both sexes is similar, featuring dark brown upperparts with buffy bars and a cinnamon-rufous rump and tail, transitioning to a warm buff on the underparts.

Identification Tips

To identify the Tropical Royal Flycatcher, look for the distinctive erectile crest, which is often kept flattened and is only displayed during certain behaviors. The bird's upperparts are dark brown, while the throat is whitish, and the breast is warm buff with narrow black bars. The belly is a plain warm buff. The iris is brown, the bill ranges from dark brown to blackish, and the legs and feet are a dull yellow or orangish hue.

Habitat

This species thrives in humid lowland forests, both primary evergreen and secondary growth. It is commonly found in the lower levels and midstory, often near streams and in seasonally flooded várzea forests.

Distribution

The Tropical Royal Flycatcher is distributed across Mexico, through Central America, and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its range extends from sea level to 1,200 meters in elevation in various parts of its distribution.

Behaviour

The Tropical Royal Flycatcher is generally a year-round resident, with some seasonal movements noted in certain regions. It forages alone or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species feeding flocks, and captures prey in mid-air or from foliage.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Tropical Royal Flycatcher are inconspicuous and quiet, with songs varying among subspecies. Calls include a loud, mellow "keeeyup" or "keee-yew," a low-pitched "sur-líp," and a squeaky "whee-uk" or "see-yuk."

Breeding

The breeding season of the Tropical Royal Flycatcher has not been firmly established. The nest is a long, narrow structure suspended above water, and the clutch typically consists of two eggs. Only the female is responsible for incubation and caring for the nestlings.

Similar Species

Subspecies of the Tropical Royal Flycatcher vary slightly in size and plumage details, with some being treated as separate species in the past. Notable differences include variations in the extent of barring on the back and breast, as well as the coloration of the rump, tail, and crest.

Diet and Feeding

The Tropical Royal Flycatcher is insectivorous, foraging at low to mid-levels in the forest. It employs a sallying technique to catch insects in mid-air or pluck them from foliage.

Conservation status

The IUCN has assessed the Tropical Royal Flycatcher as Least Concern, with a very large range but an unknown population size that is believed to be decreasing. The Pacific subspecies is considered Vulnerable due to its limited range and decreasing population, primarily threatened by habitat loss. The species is overall uncommon, with some subspecies being scarce to rare.