The ruddy-tailed flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the family Onychorhynchidae. It was previously place in family Tityridae. Its range extends from southeast Mexico south to the Amazon rainforest. It is the only member of the genus Terenotriccus, but some authorities place it in genus Myiobius. However, it differs in voice, behaviour, and structure from members of that group.
Region
Mesoamerica to the Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Central America into much of northern South America, including the Amazon Basin and the Guianas, and west to western Ecuador and north-central Bolivia. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill evergreen forest, tall secondary growth, and gallery forest. Most often found in the shaded understory and along forest edges and streams. It may persist in selectively logged forest but is sensitive to extensive deforestation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ruddy-tailed flycatcher is a tiny understory bird best recognized by its warm rufous tail and quiet, insect-like voice. It is the sole member of the genus Terenotriccus and has been variously placed in Onychorhynchidae or Tityridae by different authorities. It builds a delicate, pendant pouch nest often suspended over shaded stream banks. Though widespread, it is easily overlooked because it perches low and moves unobtrusively.
Temperament
solitary and quiet
Flight Pattern
short rapid sallies with weak, fluttery flights within the understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered alone or in pairs and occasionally associates with mixed-species understory flocks. Nests are delicate pendant pouches suspended from rootlets or fine branches, often overhanging shaded streams. Clutch size is small, and both parents attend the nest in dense cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The voice is a thin, high-pitched series of tseet or see notes, insect-like and easily overlooked. Calls are soft and repeated at intervals from low perches in the understory.
Plumage
Compact, with olive-brown upperparts contrasting with a warm rufous rump and tail; underparts buffy to pale ochraceous with a paler throat. Wings are dusky with subtle rufous edging. Feathers appear smooth and neat, giving a clean, understated look.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, small moths, and spiders. It hawks prey in short sallies from low perches and also gleans from leaves and twigs. Prey is typically taken quietly and consumed on the perch.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the shaded understory of humid primary and tall secondary forests, often along streams and in dense thickets. It stays within a few meters of the ground and uses low, concealed perches.
