The white-bearded flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in the seasonally flooded llanos savannas, gallery forests, open woodland edges, and scrubby pastures of Venezuela and adjacent eastern Colombia. Prefers ecotones with scattered bushes, fence lines, and small trees offering hunting perches. Common near waterways and seasonally wet grasslands where insect activity is high. It adapts well to secondary growth and lightly disturbed habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This species is a member of a monotypic genus, Phelpsia, and is confined to the llanos and adjacent regions of Venezuela and eastern Colombia. It is an agile sallying flycatcher that hunts from low, exposed perches. The “white-bearded” name refers to its noticeable whitish throat and malar tufts that can look like a small beard when flared.
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in suitable edge habitats. Pairs likely form during the breeding season and defend nesting areas. The nest is presumed to be an open cup placed in low trees or shrubs typical of many tyrant flycatchers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, dry chips and short, squeaky whistles delivered from exposed perches. Song phrases are simple and repeated, carrying well over open savanna edges.
Plumage
Plain olive-brown to grayish-olive upperparts with paler, lightly washed yellowish underparts and a clean whitish throat. The throat and malar area can form a small, flared 'beard' effect. Overall appearance is rather plain, with subtle contrast between the head, back, and underparts.
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying insects such as flies, beetles, and small wasps, captured in mid-air during short sallies. It also gleans arthropods from foliage and fence lines. Occasional consumption of small berries may occur when insects are less available.
Preferred Environment
Forages along woodland edges, gallery forests, hedgerows, and scattered shrubs in savanna landscapes. Frequently uses low to mid-level exposed perches overlooking open ground or water margins.
