The dusky-tailed flatbill is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland humid forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It inhabits terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, especially areas with dense understory, vine tangles, and bamboo stands. The species also uses tall secondary growth and forest edges near waterways. Typically found in shaded interior habitats where it perches low to mid-level.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A quiet understory flycatcher of the Amazon Basin, the dusky-tailed flatbill uses its broad, flattened bill to snatch insects from shaded perches. It often favors dense thickets and bamboo, making it easy to overlook despite being fairly widespread. Its voice is a series of soft, drawn-out whistles that help reveal its presence. The species is generally considered of low conservation concern.
Temperament
skulking and quiet
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs within dense understory. It sometimes accompanies mixed-species flocks but often forages alone. Breeding pairs are likely monogamous and place a small cup nest low in dense vegetation. Territorial behavior is subtle, relying more on vocalizations than displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of soft, drawn-out whistled notes, often given in a spaced series. Calls include quiet pik or peeu notes that carry poorly in dense foliage. Vocal activity increases around dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a slightly duskier tail and wings; underparts dull yellowish-olive to buff with a paler throat. Two faint, yellowish wingbars and subtle edging on the flight feathers. The bill is notably broad and flat with a dark culmen and often paler lower mandible.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including beetles, flies, and spiders. It employs sit-and-sally foraging, making short flights to seize prey from the air or gleaning from leaves and twigs. Occasionally it may take small prey from the undersides of foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory and midstory of humid forest, especially where vines and bamboo create dense structure. Often works along forest edges, streamside thickets, and tangles in secondary growth near primary forest.
