The golden-crowned spadebill is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found Central America from Honduras to Panama and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and broadly across tropical South America except the southern cone countries. It inhabits humid evergreen and mature secondary forests, favoring dense understory, vine tangles, and edges near streams. Most often found in shaded lower strata from near the forest floor up to the mid-understory. It may use forest fragments if sufficient dense cover is present, but is most common in extensive intact lowland forest.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny understory tyrant flycatcher, the golden-crowned spadebill is named for its broad, spatulate bill adapted to snatching small insects at close range. It often reveals a striking golden-orange crown patch bordered by black when excited. The species is notoriously skulking, keeping low in dense vine tangles and shadowy forest, where it gives thin, high calls. Despite a wide range from Honduras through much of South America, it remains inconspicuous and easily overlooked.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, low sallies
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs within dense understory territories. Joins mixed-species flocks occasionally but remains low and inconspicuous. Nests are usually placed low in vegetation or vine tangles; both sexes participate in territory defense. Crown-raising displays may occur during courtship or agitation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles and short, sharp tseet notes, often given singly or in brief series. The song is a soft, slightly descending sequence that can be easily missed amid forest background noise.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with buff to ochraceous underparts and a short, square tail. The crown shows a concealed golden-orange patch bordered by black. Wings are dusky with subtle buffy edging, and the bird has a faint pale eyering. The bill is notably broad and flat at the tip, giving a spade-like appearance.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, including flies, beetles, spiders, and other tiny insects. It employs hover-gleaning and short sallies to pick prey from leaves and twigs in the shaded understory. The broad, flat bill aids in precise snatching at close range. It rarely, if ever, consumes fruit compared with many other tyrant flycatchers.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, vine tangles, and along shaded forest edges and streamside thickets. Usually keeps within a few meters of the ground, moving methodically through cover. Will use mature secondary forest where structure is complex.
