The ochre-bellied flycatcher is a small bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and northern South America.
Region
Mesoamerica and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico through Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and across northern South America. Prefers humid lowland and foothill forests, especially the shaded understory and forest edges. Common in second-growth thickets, along streams, and in shaded plantations such as cacao and coffee. Often stays low to mid-levels, moving quietly among fruiting shrubs and small trees. Tolerates moderate habitat disturbance if fruiting resources remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its name, the ochre-bellied flycatcher eats mostly small fruits and berries, taking insects opportunistically. Males perform distinctive display rituals, including wing-whirring and short flights from fixed perches, sometimes in loose leks. It thrives in forest edges and second growth as well as mature forest, and acts as a seed disperser for many understory plants.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in loose association, but may gather at fruiting trees. Males maintain small display courts and perform fluttering flights with audible wing-whirr; females undertake most nesting duties. Nests are typically mossy and pendant, placed low to mid-level near shaded ravines or streams.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched whistles and tseet notes, often delivered from concealed perches. Displaying males add soft mechanical wing sounds. Vocalizations are modest and can be easily overlooked in dense understory.
Plumage
Dull olive-green upperparts with an ochre to yellowish belly and paler throat. Two faint pale wing bars on dusky wings and slightly darker tail. Feathers appear soft and plain with minimal streaking, giving a uniform, mossy-olive look above.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fruits and berries, especially from understory plants like melastomes. Also takes small insects and other arthropods by short sallies or gleaning from foliage. Swallows many fruits whole and helps disperse seeds through the forest understory.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory, at forest edges, along streams, and within second-growth thickets. Frequently visits fruiting shrubs and low trees, and will use shaded agroforestry systems such as cacao or coffee groves.
