The large-headed flatbill, also known as the bamboo flatbill, is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from the Amazon lowlands to the lower Andean foothills across northern and central South America. Prefers dense bamboo (especially Guadua) in terra firme and seasonally flooded forests, as well as edges, vine tangles, and secondary growth. Most often found in the understory to midstory where cover is thick. It may also occupy gallery forests along rivers and forest-fragment margins with sufficient bamboo.
Altitude Range
100–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the bamboo flatbill, this flycatcher is closely tied to dense bamboo thickets, especially Guadua stands. It uses a sit-and-wait strategy, sallying from low to mid-level perches to snatch insects. Its oversized, broad bill and heavy-headed profile make it distinctive despite otherwise muted colors. It is generally quiet and unobtrusive, often detected by its soft, whistled notes at dawn and dusk.
Ramphotrigon megacephalum illustration by Swainson, 1841
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species understory flocks. Forages from low exposed perches inside bamboo, making short sallies and returns. Nests are typically placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation, likely a small cup concealed in bamboo or vines. Territorial pairs may maintain year-round sites where bamboo is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of soft, whistled notes given in short series, often at dawn and dusk. Calls include quiet peeps and thin whistles that can be difficult to localize within dense bamboo.
Plumage
Dull olive-brown upperparts with slightly darker crown and nape; wings brown with faint buffy edging; underparts yellowish-olive to buffy on the throat and breast, becoming more yellow on the belly. Feathers appear soft and plain, with minimal barring or streaking.
Diet
Primarily small flying and gleaned insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars; also takes spiders and other arthropods. Hunts by sallying from a perch and by gleaning from bamboo culms, leaves, and dead leaf clusters. Frequently targets prey disturbed by movement within bamboo stands.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense bamboo thickets, vine tangles, and shrubby forest edges within humid lowland and foothill forests. Most activity is in the shaded understory and lower midstory, often a few meters above ground.
