The boat-billed tody-tyrant is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname.
Region
Guianas and northern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical moist forests of Brazil (Amapá and northern Pará), French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Prefers dense understory, vine tangles, and forest edges, often near streams or light gaps. Uses terra firme forest but also frequents secondary growth and thickets along forest margins. It remains close to the ground to mid-understory, using shaded perches and short sallies to capture prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny flycatcher has a notably broad, flattened bill that gives it a ‘boat-billed’ look and helps it snatch small insects from foliage. It keeps low in dense understory thickets and is more often heard than seen. Nests are typically domed or hanging structures with a side entrance, hidden in vine tangles. It often joins mixed-species understory flocks and may respond to imitated pygmy-owl calls.
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs in the understory, keeping to dense cover. It performs short sallies from low perches to glean insects from leaves and twigs. Nests are well-concealed, often hanging or domed structures placed in vine tangles with a side entrance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched notes and brief trills, often delivered from concealed perches. Calls can be a series of sharp chips followed by a rapid, slightly descending trill.
