The black-headed tody-flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is a small, black and yellow, insectivorous bird.
Region
Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Costa Rica and Panama through northern Colombia and Venezuela to western Ecuador. It favors subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, especially edges, clearings with scattered trees, riverine thickets, and second growth. It also uses cacao and banana groves adjoining forest. Typically found in the understory and midstory, where it gleans small arthropods from foliage.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny tyrant builds a delicate, hanging pouch nest suspended from slender branches or over streams. Its striking pale iris contrasts with its jet-black head, making it easy to pick out in dim forest edges. Pairs often keep close contact with high, squeaky calls and perform short, hover-gleaning sallies for insects.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent short sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often accompanying mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Both sexes participate in building a hanging pouch nest and share incubation and chick-rearing. Territorial pairs keep in close contact with frequent calls and tail-flicking displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers very high, thin, insect-like notes and squeaky trills, often in quick series. Calls are persistent and carry surprisingly well at forest edges despite their high pitch.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed tody-flycatcher with a sleek black head and nape, olive-green back and wings, and bright yellow underparts. Wings show subtle yellowish edging; tail is dark with faint edging.
Diet
Feeds primarily on tiny insects and other small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Often hover-gleans to pick prey from the underside of foliage. Makes short dashes to snatch flushed insects and occasionally joins mixed flocks to exploit disturbed prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the understory to midstory of humid lowland forest, edges, second growth, and riparian thickets. Frequently works along sunny gaps, vine tangles, and shrubby borders where small insects are abundant.
