The Pacific flatbill is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region (western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen forests of the Pacific slope, primarily in lowland and foothill rainforest. It frequents the understory to midstory, edges of mature forest, and well-vegetated secondary growth. Birds are often found along shaded streams and in dense tangles where they sally-glean for prey. It avoids highly open or heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small tyrant flycatcher of the Chocó lowlands, the Pacific flatbill is named for its unusually broad, flattened bill used to snatch insects from foliage. It forages quietly in the shaded understory and midstory and often joins mixed-species flocks. It is most readily detected by its soft, whistled calls rather than by movement.
Temperament
quiet and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches; brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs within territories, and often associates with mixed-species understory flocks while foraging. Breeding pairs are discreet and nest low to mid-level in dense vegetation. The nest is likely a pendant, purse-like structure woven from plant fibers and moss, suspended from a branch in shaded forest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, thin whistles and brief, plaintive notes, often a single or double high-pitched peeet or pseeu repeated at intervals. Calls are subtle and easily overlooked amid forest ambient sounds.
Plumage
Mostly olive-green above with a slightly duskier olive head and yellow-olive underparts; wings show faint pale edging forming two subtle wingbars. Feathers are soft-textured and fairly plain, giving a uniform, leafy-olive appearance.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods such as beetles, flies, and spiders. It uses a sit-and-wait tactic, making short sallies to pluck prey from leaves and twigs (sally-gleaning). Occasional small berries may be taken opportunistically, but animal prey dominates the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory and midstory strata of humid forest, especially along vine tangles and near streamside vegetation. Also uses forest edges and older secondary growth with a closed canopy.
