The tropical royal flycatcher is a passerine bird that most taxonomic systems place in family Onychorhynchidae. It is found in Mexico, south through most of Central America, and in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Mesoamerica and northern–central South America (Mexico to Amazon Basin)
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through most of Central America and widely across tropical South America, absent only from the southern temperate cone. It favors humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, riparian corridors, and tall secondary growth. Most records are in dense, shaded understory near streams or rivers. It is typically uncommon to locally fairly common where habitat persists, but easily overlooked due to its quiet behavior.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy forest flycatcher carries an extraordinary fan-shaped crest that it raises only during displays, revealing blazing red or orange feathers tipped with iridescent blue. It builds a remarkable long, pendulous nest that hangs over water, helping deter predators. Taxonomy of the royal flycatcher complex varies by authority, but most place it in family Onychorhynchidae.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs in the breeding season. The species builds a long, dangling purse-like nest suspended over water; the female primarily incubates while the male often assists with provisioning. Clutches are small, typically 1–2 eggs, and territories are maintained in dense understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, plaintive whistles in a descending series, often spaced and melancholy in tone. Calls include thin peeps and soft trills delivered from low, shaded perches, making it easy to miss.
Plumage
Upperparts warm brown to olive-brown with rufous tail; underparts buffy to pale cinnamon with subtle streaking on the breast. Crest lies flat and inconspicuous when not displayed, appearing as a long narrow crown. Bill is broad and flat with prominent rictal bristles.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects such as flies, dragonflies, wasps, beetles, and moths. It uses sit-and-wait tactics from low to mid-level perches, sallying out to snatch prey in the air. It also occasionally gleans small caterpillars or spiders from foliage. Prey is often subdued by light bill-whacking before being swallowed.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded forest understory and along stream margins, often below the mid-canopy. It favors quiet edges within mature forest and tall second growth, especially near watercourses.
