Oncostoma cinereigulare
The Northern Bentbill (*Oncostoma cinereigulare*) is a diminutive and distinctive member of the Tyrannidae family, often measuring a mere 9.5-10.5 cm (3.7-4.1 inches) in length and weighing just 7-9 grams. Its most striking feature is its unique, dark, stout, and strongly decurved (bent) bill, which gives the species its common name and sets it apart from other small flycatchers. The plumage is generally olive-green on the upperparts, head, and flanks, transitioning to a yellowish throat and ...
This species primarily inhabits the understory and mid-story of humid evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical forests, forest edges, and mature second growth, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1,200 meters.
The Northern Bentbill feeds almost exclusively on insects and spiders, gleaning them from foliage and small branches or occasionally catching them in short aerial sallies.
The Northern Bentbill is an active and inconspicuous bird, often observed singly or in pairs as it forages diligently through dense foliage. It is diurnal, with activity peaking during the cooler parts of the day. Its foraging strategy is highly specialized, involving agile gleaning of insects an...
The Northern Bentbill is a resident, non-migratory species with a distribution spanning Central America. Its range extends from southern Mexico, specifically in the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, southwards through the lowlands and foothills of the Yucatán Peninsula (Belize, northern Gu...
Least Concern
- Its most distinguishing feature, the 'bent' bill, is perfectly adapted for extracting insects from the underside of leaves and bark crevices. - Despite its small size, it's an incredibly agile forager, often hanging upside down like a titmouse. - The genus name *Oncostoma* derives from Greek, m...