The western olivaceous flatbill is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes and western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama through Colombia and Venezuela south into Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and western Brazil. It inhabits lowland and foothill evergreen forests, river-edge woodland, and mature secondary growth. Most common in shaded understory and midstory near streams or along forest edges. Uses both terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forest where suitable cover persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small tyrant flycatcher of the Neotropics favors the shaded understory of humid forests, where it perches quietly and sallies out to snatch prey. Its broad, flattened bill helps it glean insects from foliage with precision. It often joins mixed-species flocks and can be detected by its sharp, ticking call notes. Nests are typically pendant, pouch-like structures woven from plant fibers and suspended in dense vegetation.
Temperament
unobtrusive and deliberate
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within dense understory, but frequently associates with mixed-species foraging flocks. Perches quietly and makes short sorties to capture prey, returning to the same or nearby perch. Builds a pendent, pouch-like nest hidden in foliage; both adults contribute to nest defense and provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and dry, consisting of sharp tick or pik notes delivered singly or in short series. Also gives a quiet, slightly buzzy rattle during foraging. Songs are subdued and easily overlooked in dense forest.
Plumage
Overall olivaceous-green with slightly paler, yellow-olive underparts; wings dusky with two buffy wingbars; throat subtly lighter. Feathers appear soft and uniform, with minimal streaking.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including beetles, flies, and spiders. Often gleaned from leaves and twigs during short sally-gleans from a low perch. Occasionally hawks small flying insects and may take tiny berries opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory to midstory of humid forests, especially along streams, vine tangles, and forest edges. Commonly joins mixed-species flocks where it works the lower strata methodically.
