Todirostrum maculatum
The Spotted Tody-Flycatcher (*Todirostrum maculatum*) is a minute, hyperactive passerine bird, a true jewel of the Neotropics. Measuring only 9.5-10.5 cm (3.7-4.1 in) and weighing a mere 6-8 grams, it boasts a distinctive appearance with olive-green upperparts, a contrasting black cap, and yellowish-white underparts heavily streaked and spotted with black, giving it its common name. Its most striking feature is its disproportionately broad, flattened, and straight black bill, perfectly adapte...
Found primarily in tropical lowland forests, it favors dense undergrowth, secondary growth, forest edges, and riverine habitats, often near water bodies, typically below 1000 meters in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects (e.g., beetles, flies, caterpillars) and spiders, which it gleans from foliage or catches in short aerial sallies.
This diurnal species is notoriously active, constantly flitting and twitching its tail while foraging, often hanging upside down to glean prey. It is a highly adept insectivore, primarily gleaning small insects and spiders from the undersides of leaves and twigs, and also performing quick, dartin...
The Spotted Tody-Flycatcher boasts an extensive range across South America, primarily within the Amazon Basin. Its distribution spans southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, southern Venezuela, and the three Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana). In Brazil,...
Least Concern
- Its scientific genus name, *Todirostrum*, literally translates to 'tody beak,' a nod to its uniquely broad and flattened bill. - Despite its tiny size, it's known for its incredibly fast, jerky movements, which can make it a challenge for even experienced birders to follow. - The Spotted Tody-F...