Platyrinchus platyrhynchos
The White-crested Spadebill, *Platyrinchus platyrhynchos*, is a diminutive and often elusive member of the Tyrannidae family, inhabiting the humid understory of Amazonian rainforests. Measuring a mere 9.5-10 cm (3.7-3.9 in) in length and weighing 8-11 g (0.28-0.39 oz), its most distinctive feature is a remarkably flat, broad bill, perfectly adapted for snatching insects from foliage. It boasts olive-green upperparts, dull yellow underparts, a gray breast band, and a conspicuous white throat, ...
This species primarily inhabits the understory of humid lowland evergreen forests, frequently found near streams or swampy areas. It generally occurs at elevations below 600 meters, though it can occasionally be found up to 1100 meters.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of small arthropods, including flies, beetles, ants, and other insects. It primarily forages by sallying and gleaning from vegetation in the forest understory.
The White-crested Spadebill is a solitary or paired bird, exhibiting a diurnal activity pattern, often spending its time quietly perched in the shaded understory. Its foraging strategy is characterized by short, quick sally-strikes to capture insects from the undersides of leaves or by gleaning a...
The White-crested Spadebill is a widespread resident throughout the Amazon Basin and adjacent regions of South America, with no migratory movements. Its breeding range encompasses southeastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and much of Amazonian Bra...
Least Concern
- The White-crested Spadebill's bill is remarkably flat and broad, resembling a spade, an adaptation for catching insects from the underside of leaves. - Despite its distinctive white crest, this feature is often kept flat against its head and can be surprisingly difficult to observe in the field...