Poecilotriccus pulchellus
The Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher, *Poecilotriccus pulchellus*, is a strikingly small and vibrant passerine bird, renowned for its vivid plumage and active demeanor. Measuring a mere 10 cm (4 inches) in length and weighing just 7-8 grams, it boasts a distinctive black back contrasting sharply with brilliant yellow underparts. A prominent white supercilium, often underscored by a subtle dark loral line, and rufous-orange flanks extending to the underwing coverts are key identification marks. Ta...
Found in subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, forest edges, and secondary growth, often favoring areas with dense understory and bamboo thickets. Typically occurs at elevations between 500 and 1500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects and spiders gleaned from vegetation or caught in short aerial sallies.
This species is highly active and restless, constantly flicking its tail and wings while foraging. It primarily gleans small arthropods from foliage, branches, and stems, but also makes quick, short sallies to capture flying insects. Black-backed Tody-Flycatchers are often observed singly or in p...
The Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher is a resident species, occurring exclusively in the eastern Andean foothills of southeastern Ecuador and northeastern Peru. In Ecuador, its distribution is restricted to the provinces of Morona-Santiago and Zamora-Chinchipe. Further south in Peru, it is found acro...
Least Concern
- It is one of the smallest members of the vast Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatcher) family in the Neotropics. - The genus name, Poecilotriccus, combines Greek words meaning 'varied' and 'a small bird', aptly describing its colorful nature. - Despite its bright plumage, its diminutive size and preferen...