Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus ruficeps

The Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, *Poecilotriccus ruficeps*, is a diminutive and strikingly marked passerine, typically measuring just 9-10 cm (3.5-4 in) in length and weighing a mere 6-8 grams. Its most distinctive field mark is the vibrant rufous or chestnut crown, which contrasts sharply with its olive-green back and bright yellow underparts. The dusky wings are adorned with two prominent yellowish-white wing-bars, and its short, broad bill is characteristic of its insectivorous diet. Th...

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, including cloud forests and their edges, at elevations typically ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 meters.

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects and spiders, which it gleans from foliage and twigs or catches in short aerial sallies.

Behavior

The Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher is a highly active and often restless diurnal bird, constantly flitting through the mid-story and understory of its forest habitat. It employs a typical Tyrant Flycatcher foraging strategy, primarily gleaning small insects and spiders from foliage and twigs, oft...

Range

The Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher is a resident species distributed throughout the Andes mountains of South America, primarily inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. Its range extends from southern Colombia, continuing southward through the highlands of Ecuador and Peru, and ...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- It is one of the smallest members of the vast Tyrannidae family, measuring only about 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) in length. - Its common name, "Tody-Flycatcher," refers to its somewhat flattened bill, reminiscent of the Todies found in the Caribbean. - This species is known for constructing elabora...

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