The yellow-throated spadebill is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid foothill and lower montane forests of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It favors dense, shaded understory with vine tangles, heliconias, and bamboo (often Chusquea). Frequently found along ravines, stream edges, and in mature second-growth where canopy cover remains high. It is generally local but can be fairly common where suitable habitat persists.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-throated spadebill is a tiny tyrant flycatcher named for its unusually broad, spade-shaped bill that helps it snatch insects from foliage. It frequents the dim understory of humid foothill and montane forests, often near bamboo thickets and along streams. Typically shy and hard to spot, it reveals itself with thin, high-pitched calls and brief sallying flights from low perches.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats in brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs in the forest understory, and frequently joins mixed-species flocks moving through dense foliage. Nests are small cups placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation or suspended from forks, often near streams. Both parents are believed to participate in care, as is typical for many tyrant flycatchers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched whistles and short tsee-notes, often repeated at intervals from a concealed perch. Vocalizations are subtle and can be easily overlooked amid forest background noise.
