Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Overview

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher: Large flycatcher with boldly streaked olive-brown upperparts and pale yellow underparts with dark brown streaks. Eyestripes are thick and black with white borders. The wings are dark and edged with white. Tail is rust-brown. Slow fluttering flight with shallow wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher: Native of Mexico and Central America, but also breeds in the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona. Preferred habitats include sycamore trees in deep canyons from 5,000 to 7,500 feet elevation.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is easily detected when it sallies forth from treetop perches in pursuit of flying prey, but when sitting still it is well camouflaged.
Its call sounds like noises made by children's or pet's squeaky-toys.
Like the closely related kingbirds, they have a brightly colored crest, but it is hidden among crown feathers.
A group of flycatchers has many collective nouns, including an "outfield", "swatting", "zapper", and "zipper" of flycatchers.

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is a large tyrant breeding mostly in southeastern Arizona in the United States, including the Madrean sky islands, as well as southwestern New Mexico, northern Sonora in Mexico, and Costa Rica. During winter months, this species will migrate short distances southward to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. The preferred habitat of the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher includes forests in canyons. Nests are typically abandoned woodpecker holes in trees or existing cavities. Diets consist of plant buds, seeds, insects and small invertebrates. The conservation rating for the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is currently listed as Least Concern.