The black-tailed myiobius or black-tailed flycatcher is a species of passerine bird in the family Onychorhynchidae. It was previously placed in family Tyrannidae or Tityridae. Black-tailed flycatchers are found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Their natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. They are usually found alone or in pairs, but may join flocks of several species.
Region
Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Central America through the Chocó and into the western and northern Amazonian lowlands. It uses subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, including forest edges and secondary growth. The species tolerates disturbed and degraded former forest where some canopy and understory structure remain. Most observations are in the shaded understory along trails, stream margins, and light gaps.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the black-tailed flycatcher, this small passerine belongs to the royal flycatcher family (Onychorhynchidae), though it has historically been placed in Tyrannidae or Tityridae. It is typically seen alone or in pairs in the forest understory, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks. It feeds by short sallies from shaded perches and often flicks its dark tail while foraging.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs in the understory, where it forages quietly. It sometimes joins mixed-species flocks moving through low to mid-levels of the forest. Nesting is presumed to be low to mid-forest, with both parents participating in care as in many small flycatchers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and high-pitched, consisting of thin tsee or tsip notes given sporadically. The call is unobtrusive and can be easily overlooked in dense forest background noise.
