Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Rather plain, inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest; also wanders into adjacent clearings and semiopen areas with fruiting bushes and trees. Usually found singly at lower to middle levels in shady understory and at times with mixed-species feeding flocks. Feeds mainly on fruit, plucked by short sallies. Plain olive plumage with ochre belly is distinctive. Also has habit of lifting one wing at a time and moving head slowly back and forth.

Identification

The ochre-bellied flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus) is a small bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and northern South America.

Taxonomy

Genus: Mionectes; Family: Tyrannidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Mionectes oleagineus
Authority
(Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Mionectes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Cryptic Becard

Cryptic Becard

Pachyramphus salvini

Small becard occurring from southwest Colombia to northwest Peru, mainly on the west slope of the Andes and in the Marañon drainage, but (perhaps seasonally?) on the east slope of the Andes as well. Mostly found in foothills, in middle to upper levels of humid montane forest, dry forest, and more open second-growth. Male is mostly gray with bold white edges on the wing feathers and a black cap with pale spectacles. Compare with White-winged Becard, which has a black back and dark lores. Female is very different; look for her brown cap bordered with black, white spectacles, pale yellowish belly, and tawny edges on wing feathers. Extremely similar to Black-and-white Becard, with potential range overlap on the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador and Peru. Male Cryptic shows a narrower upper wingbar, paler lores, a grayer upperside of the tail, and a more slender bill than Black-and-white. Female Cryptic has a duller brownish crown with a narrower black border. These features may all be difficult or impossible to assess in the field; some birds are best left unidentified. Also note voice: song a fast series of two sweet downslurred whistles followed by a stuttered upslurred whistle, often repeated two or three times. Black-and-white’s song is slower, with longer notes.

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Glittering-bellied Emerald

Chlorostilbon lucidus

Small green hummingbird found in a variety of open and semiopen habitats, such as forest edges, deserts, savannas, and gardens. Visits feeders. Iridescent green body with a forked dark blue tail and dark wings. Males have a black-tipped red bill with a blue throat, while females have a white belly, black mask, and a black bill with a red base.

Moorland Chat

Moorland Chat

Pinarochroa sordida

A small, drab, dumpy, long-legged, short-tailed chat of high-elevation habitats. The tail has a black-and-white “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Found mostly at high elevations in montane grassland, in moorland, and on rocky slopes. Perches conspicuously on low perches and forages by hopping across the ground. Tail pattern is similar to a wheatear’s, but Moorland Chat is smaller and shorter-tailed. Somewhat similar to other drab brownish chats, but found in different habitats, and also distinguished by the tail pattern. Gives quiet chirps, ticks, and scratchy calls. 

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