Bearded Tachuri (Polystictus pectoralis) - 11Aug2022

This tiny tyrant flycatcher has a Near Threatened status per IUCN classification but it does have a fairly large range in several disjunct populations in South America.  There are only 2 species in this genus.  We saw only one on our trip to the Pantanal in Brazil.

White-throated Tyrannulet (Mecocerculus leucophrys) - 07Aug2024

This high elevation tyrant flycatcher can be found all the way down the spine of the Andes from Venezuela to Argentina.  I had mine in Colombia.

Suiriri Flycatcher (Suiriri suiriri) - 15Aug2022

The Suiriri and Chapada Flycatchers look pretty identical to any birder seeing them for the first time and they share the same range and habitats.  So you really need to hear them or have a capable guide to help you identify them.  We had both in the span of 10 minutes in Chapada dos Guimaraes in Brazil.  The Suiriri vocalized but stayed in the back of a tree whereas the Chapada was very accommodating.  

 

Brown-capped Tyrannulet (Ornithion brunneicapillus) - 01Aug2019

This photo would have been unusable if I hadn't ramped up the contrast as it was super backlit.  Sometimes you gotta make lemonade out of lemons.  This species can be found in Central America and the very northern parts of South America.  I was on my first trip to Colombia and this was one of several birds flitting around way up in the canopy.

Cliff Flycatcher (Hirundinea ferruginea) - 16Aug2022

This interesting flycatcher is named appropriately, favoring cliffs and other near vertical habitats.  It has a massive range throughout all of South America in many disjunct populations.  We had ours at Chapada dos Guimaraes in Brazil which has plenty of cliffs and gorges for this bird to hang out near.  My better photo is on a tree snag, but I included a poor pic of one hanging on the side of a cliff face so you can get an idea of its preferred habitat.

Handsome Flycatcher (Nephelomyias pulcher) - 14Aug2024

It seems strange that almost half of the "tyrant" flycatchers are so small and cute.  I suppose they are tyrants to the little bugs they eat. The Handsome Flycatcher is yet another of the cute tyrants that lives in higher elevations in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.  We had ours on my second trip to Colombia. 

Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus) - 15Aug2024

Another insanely cute flycatcher that is the only member of its genus, the Ornate Flycatcher can be found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.  They inhabit montane forests at fairly high altitudes. My photos are all from my second trip to Colombia.