The white-throated spadebill is a tiny passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, on Trinidad and Tobago, and in every mainland South American country except Chile, French Guiana, Uruguay, and Suriname.
Region
Central America and northern–central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from Costa Rica and Panama through much of northern and central South America, including Trinidad and Tobago, and widely across the Andes foothills and Amazonian and Atlantic Forest regions. It inhabits humid primary and mature secondary forests, especially dark understory near ravines and along stream gullies. Frequently uses vine tangles, bamboo and Heliconia thickets, and dense understory near forest edges but remains inside forest cover. It is generally absent from open habitats and heavily degraded areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny tyrant flycatcher has a remarkably broad, spade-shaped bill that helps it snatch small insects from foliage in the dim forest understory. It often joins mixed-species flocks and can be detected by its sharp, high-pitched whistles despite being hard to see. Individuals frequently flick their tails and make short, darting sallies from low perches. Its cryptic habits make vocalizations the best clue to its presence.
White-throated spadebill (above), and yellow-throated spadebill (below); illustration by Joseph Smit, 1888
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, darting sallies
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within dense understory, but regularly joins mixed-species flocks moving through low vegetation. Builds a small, cup-shaped nest placed low, often suspended in a fork over a shaded ravine or streamside. Pairs defend small territories and communicate with frequent contact calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers high, thin whistles that may accelerate into short series, often given from a concealed perch. Calls are sharp and penetrating, carrying well in dark understory and serving as the primary detection cue.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with warm rufous edging on the wings and tail, and pale buff underparts with a clean white throat. Face shows a bold pattern with a whitish supercilium and moustachial stripes framing a darker cheek. The bill is extremely broad and flat, giving a spade-like appearance.
Diet
Feeds mostly on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, and spiders. Forages by sally-gleaning from low perches, snapping prey from the undersides of leaves and twigs. Occasionally takes tiny fruit when insects are scarce but remains primarily insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Hunts in dim, dense understory, especially in vine tangles, bamboo, and along shaded streams and gullies. Typically forages 0.5–3 m above ground within interior forest or well-vegetated edges.
