Ochre-bellied Flycatchers

The Ochre-bellied Flycatchers, Mionectes oleagineus, is a small bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. This species was previously placed in the genus Pipromorpha.

Distribution / Range:

It breeds from southern Mexico through Central America, and South America east of the Andes as far as southern Brazil, and on Trinidad and Tobago.

This is a common bird in humid forests, usually in undergrowth near water.

Breeding / Nesting:

His display includes jumping, flutter-flight and hovering. He takes no part in rearing the young.

It makes a moss-covered ball nest with a side entrance, which is suspended from a root or branch, often over water.

The female incubates the typical clutch of two or three white eggs for 18-20 days, with about the same period for the young, initially covered with grey down, to fledge.

Description:

Adult Ochre-bellied Flycatchers are 12.7cm long and weigh 11g. They have olive-green upperparts, and the head and upper breast are also green. The rest of the underparts are ochre-colored, there are two buff wing bars, and the feathers of the closed wing are edged with buff.

The male is slightly larger than the female, but otherwise similar.

There are a number of subspecies, which differ in the distinctness of the wing bars or the shade of the upperparts.

Diet / Feeding:

Ochre-bellied Flycatchers is an inconspicuous bird which, unusually for a tyrant flycatcher, feeds mainly on seeds and berries, and some insects and spiders.

Calls / Vocalization:

The calls of the male include a high-pitched chip, and a loud choo.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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