The golden-bellied flycatcher is a passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Central American highlands
Typical Environment
Primarily found in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it frequents montane forest edges, second growth, and clearings with scattered trees. It favors riparian margins, landslides, and gaps where prey is abundant. The species often occurs near human-modified landscapes such as shade coffee plantations adjacent to forest. It is generally absent from lowland humid forests and heavily urbanized zones.
Altitude Range
1000–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This robust tyrant flycatcher is named for its striking golden-yellow belly, which contrasts with a streaked throat and dusky facial mask. It often perches conspicuously at forest edges and sallies out to catch flying insects, sometimes returning to the same perch repeatedly. Pairs are vocal and can be detected by their sharp, whistled calls at dawn. It adapts well to semi-open montane habitats, including shade coffee and forest edge.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies from exposed perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups at forest edges. Pairs defend small areas around nest sites and work together to provision young. Nests are typically placed in trees or banks near edges, and both sexes participate in parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes sharp, whistled phrases and scolding chatters. Dawn song is a clear, ringing whistle repeated from prominent perches.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a streaked whitish throat and upper breast, transitioning to a bright golden-yellow belly. Tail and wings are dusky with warm rufous edging, and the head shows a dark mask with pale supercilium.
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying insects such as flies, beetles, and wasps, captured by aerial sallies from exposed perches. It also gleans prey from foliage and occasionally snatches insects from near the ground. Small fruits may be taken opportunistically, especially when insect activity is low.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, gaps, and riparian corridors where flight paths are open. Frequently uses telephone wires, dead snags, or canopy edges as vantage points.
