Northern Bentbill
Northern Bentbill - Tiny flycatcher of humid forest and woodland in tropical lowlands. Inconspicuous, mainly foraging at low to mid-levels in forest interior and edge, where flits from perch to perch and then sits still. Heard far more often than seen: common call a low, frog-like churr. Overall plumage color and pattern much like many flycatchers, but note its tiny size, ‘broken-nose’ bill profile, pale eyes, and relatively long, thin, pale pinkish legs.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory to sub-canopy within broadleaf forest, forest edge, second growth scrub; less often. dense roadside and riverbank tangles. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident on mainland. |
Stub-Tailed Spadebill
Stub Tailed Spadebill - Tiny ‘cute’ flycatcher found in fairly open but shady understory of tropical lowland forest, mainly in humid areas. Appearance is distinctive, with brownish upperparts, striking face pattern, and stubby tail. Can be quite common but easily overlooked. Usually draws attention by its bright, nasal chi-dik or chi-di-dik call, usually given just after a short flight, after which it sits still and is frustratingly difficult to see.
BELIZE HABITAT - Sparse understory within broadleaf forest interior. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common resident on mainland. |
Slate-Headed Tody Flycatcher
Slate Headed Tody Flycatcher - Very small, rather skulking flycatcher of dense tangles and thickets in humid tropical lowlands. Hops around like a sluggish warbler, often pausing motionless for long periods. Plumage is similar to many flycatchers—grayish head, olive upperparts with yellowish wing edgings, and pale yellowish belly—but note the rather long bill, pale eyes, habitat, and behavior. Similar Northern Bentbill favors more open forest understory, perches more upright, and has bent bill.
BELIZE HABITAT - Dense tangles along roadsides and riverbanks and at broadleaf forest edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon to locally fairly common resident on mainland north to at least north Orange Walk and north Belize, but apparently absent in Corozal. |
Common Tody Flycatcher
Common Tody Flycatcher - Tiny, somewhat warbler-like flycatcher of tropical lowlands. Has a long and rather broad bill for such a small bird. Favors open and semi-open areas with scattered trees, bushes, hedgerows, and scrub. Often found in pairs, flitting actively and holding its tail cocked. Note the black mask, setting off the whitish eyes, and the white-tipped tail.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory to sub-canopy in open areas with scattered large trees, including plantations, orchards, towns, and villages; also forest edge, but not in forest interior or in dense tangles. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common resident nearly throughout on mainland and Ambergris Caye, but scarce or absent in most of Corozal. |
Ruddy-Tailed Flycatcher
Ruddy Tailed Flycatcher - This tiny inconspicuous flycatcher inhabits the interior of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. It feeds mainly at middle to upper levels, perching quietly and sallying for insects. Plumage is distinctive, with bright rusty wings and tail, cinnamon underparts, and a “cute” face with a big, beady dark eye.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels within broadleaf forest interior. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon and local resident north to east central Cayo and west Stann Creek; also west Orange Walk and locally in east Orange Walk. |
Sepia-Capped Flycatcher
Sepia Capped Flycatcher - Inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest and edge. Usually found at middle levels inside forest and also in adjacent clearings where sometimes suspends its nest under the eaves of buildings, including ruins. Mainly sits quietly and fairly upright; at times sallies to pick insects from foliage. Note the grayish face with a dark ear patch, dark brownish (sepia) crown, and buffy wing edgings. Call is a stuttering froglike trill, given infrequently.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels within broadleaf forest interior. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon to fairly common resident on mainland, mostly in interior, north to central Cayo and west Stann Creek; also in west Orange Walk and locally in east Orange Walk. |
Yellow-Olive Flycatcher
Yellow Olive Flycatcher - Rather uneventful-looking flycatcher of tropical lowlands, in both humid and drier situations. Favors forest and woodland edges, and in semiopen areas with taller trees. Perches mainly at mid-levels, when often holds its tail slightly cocked. In Mexico and Central America, can be identified by its pale eyes accentuated by whitish spectacles, a rather broad bill that is pale below, and thin, pale pinkish legs; also note the yellowish edgings to the wing feathers, not forming distinct wingbars. High, lisping call easily passed off as an insect or a begging baby bird. Several similar species occur in South America, best identified by voice.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to canopy within broadleaf, forest and forest edge; less frequently in pine forest. Where can we find this bird in Belize? Common resident on mainland. |
Sulphur-Rumped Flycatcher
Sulphur Rumped Flycatcher - Active and attractive small flycatcher of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Feeds mainly at eye level in forest understory, where sallies and flutters after insects, fanning its broad tail and drooping its wings to show off the big, pale-yellow rump patch. Often joins mixed-species feeding flocks that roam through the understory. No similar species in Mexico.
BELIZE HABITAT - Understory to mid-level within broadleaf forest interior. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common resident on mainland north; mostly in interior, to north Orange Walk and west Belize; not recorded from Corozal. |
Bright-Rumped Attila
Bright Rumped Attila
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to canopy within broadleaf and pine forests; less often at forest edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident on mainland. |
Ochre-Bellied Flycatcher
Ochre Bellied Flycatcher - Rather plain, inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest; also wanders into adjacent clearings and semiopen areas with fruiting bushes and trees. Usually found singly at lower to middle levels in shady understory and at times with mixed-species feeding flocks. Feeds mainly on fruit, plucked by short sallies. Plain olive plumage with ochre belly is distinctive. Also has habit of lifting one wing at a time and moving head slowly back and forth.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels within broadleaf forest interior and clearings. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident on mainland. |
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe - Medium-sized flycatcher, smaller than a robin. Watch for it constantly dipping its tail down. Plumage is nondescript brownish above and pale below, with blurry vest. Often nests under eves of buildings and other structures. Spends winters in southeastern U.S. and eastern Mexico and returns north earlier than other flycatchers. Listen for its low-pitched, harsh "FEE-bee" song in the spring, but don't get confused by Black-capped Chickadee's higher-pitched, sweet whistled song of a similar pattern!
BELIZE HABITAT - Low to mid-strata at forest edge, and in open areas with scattered trees. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Two unconfirmed reports. Has been recorded in South Quintana Roo, Mexico, near the Rio Hondo. |
Black Phoebe
Black Phoebe - Small, sooty black flycatcher with clean white belly. Sits in the open on low perches to scan for insects, while pumping its tail up and down. Often near a water source whether it's a river, suburban creek, or salt-sprayed rocks and cliffs.
BELIZE HABITAT - Fast flowing forest lined streams. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Local resident in interior north to north Cayo and north central Belize, rarely to central Orange Walk. |
Eye-Ringed Flatbill
Eye-Ringed Flatbill - Rather large headed and overall greenish flycatcher of humid tropical and subtropical forest; infrequently encountered. Inconspicuous, usually perching rather upright and quietly at mid-levels in the forest interior, rarely at edges; does not flick its wings or tail. Plumage relatively distinctive, with a contrasting, complete whitish eyering set in a pale grayish face. Lacks any distinct pale wingbars. Call is a high, shrill, insect-like note that does not draw attention.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within broadleaf forest interior. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon to locally fairly common resident in interior; scarce to absent in coastal areas, including most of Corozal. Unrecorded on cayes. |
Royal Flycatcher
Royal Flycatcher - Uncommon, medium-sized, overall brown flycatcher of humid tropical forest in lowlands. Note the hammerhead crest—very rarely fully raised to reveal spectacular, flame-red and violet-blue fan, long bill, and pale cinnamon rump and tail. Usually found as singles or pairs in open mid-level canopy, where flutters actively after insects. Nest is a straggly mass of dead vegetation up to 3 feet long that hangs from the tip of a branch, often along streambeds.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within broadleaf forest and forest edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon to locally fairly common resident on mainland, except possibly Corozal. |
Vermillion Flycatcher
Vermillion Flycatcher - Small, gorgeous flycatcher of open habitats. Adult males have brilliant red underparts and crown with dark brown upperparts and mask behind eye. Females and immature males are much duller, but usually show salmon color on belly. Most similar to Say's Phoebe, but Vermilion's breast is whitish and streaked. Found in many open and brushy areas including open woodland, especially riparian zones. Often seen perched on fence posts along roadsides. Feeds on insects.
BELIZE HABITAT - Savannas, fallow fields, pasturland, and agricultural areas; also in parks and other landscaped areas in towns and villages. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident from Corozal and east Orange Walk south to north Cayo (north of Mountain Pine Ridge) and central of Maya Mountains to north east Toledo. Recorded occasionally in west Orange Walk, on Ambergris Caye, and on Caye Caulker. |
Thrush-Like Schiffornis
Thrush Like Schiffornis
BELIZE HABITAT - Low to mid-strata within broadleaf forest. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident on mainland. |
Least Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher - Small, olive flycatcher. Grayish-olive above with paler belly. Shows two prominent whitish wingbars. White eyering is usually bold and slightly wider behind the eye. Most easily identified by voice: a loud "che-BEK, che-BEK" often repeated in bursts. Found in a variety of wooded or shrubby habitats during summer, migration, and winter. Active, often changing perches as it forages for insects, occasionally flicking its wings and tail.
BELIZE HABITAT - Most widespread of the Empidonax in Belize, found at low to mid-strata in most habitats with woody vegetation except broadleaf forest interior. Most common at woodland and second growth edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common winter visitor, late August, to early May. |
Yellow Bellied Flycatcher
Yellow Bellied Flycatcher - Small flycatcher, extremely similar to several other species. Generally shy and inconspicuous; breeds in spruce forests often near boggy areas. Migrants tend to be found in denser wet areas within woods. Olive-greenish above with distinctive yellow wash on throat and belly. Black wings with bold white wingbars. Nearly identical to Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers, but no range overlap. Within range, main confusion species is Least Flycatcher. Bright yellow throat and belly is usually enough to identify Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but some worn birds can be very similar. Song is similar to Least Flycatcher ("chebek") but more slurred, with a soft buzzy tone. Not frequently repeated like Least Flycatcher. Soft whistled call note, "pwee," unlike Least's sharp "whit" call.
BELIZE HABITAT - Low to mid-strata in forest interior and less often at forest edge. Ranges over wider range of habitats in migrations. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common winter visitor, late August to late May. |
Acadian Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher - Small flycatcher with a big, peaked head and relatively long bill. Extremely similar to several other species, especially Alder and Willow Flycatchers. Greenish-olive above and pale whitish below. Thin white eyering. Dark wings with distinct white wingbars. Very long wingtips. Best distinguished from other flycatchers by habitat and voice. Birds near the northern end of range prefer shaded ravines with mix of hemlocks and deciduous trees; farther south, found in mature deciduous forests. Tends to stay high in the canopy. Song is an explosive "pwit-SIP;" call note is a sharp "pweek."
BELIZE HABITAT - Low to mid-strata at forest edge and in open woodland and second growth scrub. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common autumn transient, late August to early November; uncommon spring transient, mid-March to early May. |
Alder & Willow Flycatcher
Alder & Willow Flycatcher
BELIZE HABITAT - Low to mid-strata at forest edge and in open woodland and second growth scrub. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common autumn transient from at least late August to mid-October, especially on cayes; less common in spring, late April to early June. Abundance relative to Alder not clear, for much is still to be learned about these two species in Belize. |
White-Throated Flycatcher
White Throated Flycatcher - Rather drab, small flycatcher of marshes and semiopen areas with bushes and hedges; winters mainly in lowland marshes. Flicks tail upward when perched. Looks similar to several other species in the genus Empidonax. Best identified by its distinctive call: a burry, slightly sneezy “rreeah,” quite different from Willow Flycatcher, which often occurs alongside White-throated in winter. Also note the whitish throat, buffy wingbars and flanks, and the lack of a distinct pale eyering.
BELIZE HABITAT - Principally along edge of freshwater marshes; may be more widespread in migration. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Poorly known, but appears to be a regular and local winter visitor, at least in north. Timing of arrival in and departure from wintering areas in Belize is not known. Other Empidonax have been mis-IDed as this is the literature, farther confusing its true status. |
Olive-Sided Flycatcher
Olive Sided Flycatcher - Stocky flycatcher that almost always perches conspicuously on a high bare perch with an upright posture. From the front, look for dark sides creating a vest, with a bright white stripe from throat to belly. White patches on the sides of rump are sometimes visible from behind. Most similar to pewees but larger and larger-billed, with more contrasting vest. Feeds on insects. Breeds in clearings and bogs in boreal or mountainous forests, but can be found in migration in open habitats with a mixture of woods and clearings. Distinctive whistled song is often likened to "quick, three beers;" also listen for "pip" call notes.
BELIZE HABITAT - Exposed snags in canopy at forest edge. In migration, found also in more open habitats but rather consistently on snags high in a tree. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Relatively uncommon transient, mid-August to early November and late April to late May; uncommon to fairly common winter visitor locally at higher elevations, occasionally at lower elevations. |
Dusky-Capped Flycatcher
Dusky Capped Flycatcher - Medium-sized flycatcher, rather slender and long-tailed. Brownish with paler grayish throat, yellow belly, and faint rufous edges on wing feathers. Long hooked bill. Most similar to Ash-throated Flycatcher but brighter yellow belly, slightly grayer throat, and less rufous in tail (beware juveniles show more rufous in the tail than adults). Also note habitat differences. Narrower bill than Brown-crested Flycatcher. Widespread in Central and South America with limited U.S. range; where it is found primarily in oak woodland in foothills and canyons. In other parts of its range found in a wide variety of habitats. Listen for plaintive, sad "wheer" call.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels within broadleaf and pine forest interior and forest edge and second growth scrub. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common resident on mainland and Ambergris Caye; has also nested on Caye Caulker. |
Great-Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher - Fairly large flycatcher; about the same size as a robin but more slender. Favors mature forests, where it nests in cavities. Brightly colored for a flycatcher, with yellow belly and rufous in the wings and tail. Quite vocal, giving loud, rising "queeEEEEP" and various rolling, burry calls. Distinguish from similar Ash-throated Flycatcher by range, bright plumage, and voice.
BELIZE HABITAT - Canopy and sub-canopy within broadleaf forest interior. In migration, much more widespread. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common transient and uncommon to fairly common winter visitor, mid-September to late May; absent from most cayes in winter. |
Brown-Crested Flycatcher
Brown Crested Flycatcher - Fairly large flycatcher with large hooked bill. Brownish with paler gray throat, pale yellow belly, and rufous edges on flight feathers and tail. Similar to Ash-throated Flycatcher but has larger bill and different voice. Appears more washed out than Great Crested Flycatcher. Without a good view or hearing it well, sometimes best left unidentified. Widespread throughout Central and South America with limited range in US; found in woodland habitats especially near water. Variety of call notes include a liquid "whip" and various churs and trills.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within broadleaf and pine forest interior and forest edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common summer resident on mainland and Ambergris Caye, early March to late August; may also breed on Caye Caulker. A few overwinter. |
Yucatan Flycatcher
Yucatan Flycatcher - Medium-size Myiarchus flycatcher of tropical woodland and edge in the Yucatan Peninsula. Found mainly at mid-upper levels in trees, and like all members of the genus feeds at fruiting trees, especially the widespread gumbo limbo. Very similar to local populations of Dusky-capped Flycatcher, with dull pale wingbars and limited rusty edging to the tail feathers. Best identified by voice. Most noticeable visual differences from Dusky-capped are a broad, paler grayish area around the eyes, and crisper and brighter whitish edging to the tertials.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels with open woodland habitats and forest edge, including both broadleaf and pine. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Uncommon to locally common resident on mainland south to south Orange Walk and central Belize; several sight records suggest that it is also an uncommon resident on Ambergris Caye. |
Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Scissor Tailed Flycatcher - Long, forked tail is elegant and unlike any other species in the U.S. Light gray above with salmon underwings. About the size of a robin with more slender body and much longer tail. Breeds in open country of Texas and Oklahoma where it forages on large insects; winters in Mexico and Central America. Might be confused with Fork-tailed Flycatcher in winter range, but paler plumage with salmon underwings.
BELIZE HABITAT - Fence lines, power lines, and trees along edges of open fields and pastures. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Locally uncommon to fairly common winter visitor on mainland and occasionally transient and winter visitor on cayes; late September to early May. Numbers have increased steadily in the past two decades. |
Fork-Tailed Flycatcher
Fork Tailed Flycatcher - Striking and conspicuous large flycatcher of savannas, grasslands, and other open country with scattered bushes and trees. Perches on fences, low bushes, and even on the ground; at times in small flocks. Flight strong and direct, with tail sweeping behind. All ages have black head and pale gray back, no pink in plumage as in the similar migrant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Adult tail is very long with lyre-shaped ribbons; juvenile has shorter tail but still looks distinctive.
BELIZE HABITAT - Pine and pine-oak savannas; pastureland. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common resident from north Orange Walk and north Belize south to central Cayo and east of Maya Mountains, to north east Toledo, occasionally seen elsewhere. |
Sulphur-Bellied Flycatcher
Sulphur Bellied Flycatcher - Large, streaky flycatcher that sounds remarkably similar to a squeaky toy. Note bold white eyebrow and mustache and bright rufous tail. Large bill. Ranges from Mexico to South America, with very limited distribution in the U.S., where it has an affinity for sycamore trees in foothills and canyons. Distinctive voice is often the first clue to its presence. The only flycatcher in the U.S. that is entirely streaky, but compare similar Streaked, Variegated, and Piratic Flycatchers in other parts of range.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to canopy within broadleaf and pine forest interior and edge, open habitats with scattered large trees. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Common summer resident, mid-March to late September, occasionally to mid-October, and rarely through the winter. Recorded occasionally in migration on cayes. |
Streaked Flycatcher
Streaked Flycatcher - Large, streaky flycatcher, summer migrant in northern part of its range. Favors forest and edge, plantations with tall trees; lives mainly at middle to upper levels in the canopy. Told from slightly smaller and slimmer Sulphur-bellied by paler throat, lack of thick blackish moustaches, lack of strong yellow wash on belly, and bigger bill with pale pinkish base below (can be matched by juvenile Sulphur-bellied).
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to canopy within broadleaf (and pine?) forest interior and edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Local and generally uncommon summer resident in interior, mid-March to September. |
Piratic Flycatcher
Piratic Flycatcher - Found in tropical lowlands and foothills, migratory in northern part of its range. Favors forest edges, plantations, and clearings with tall trees. Named for its behavior of stealing already-built nests of oropendolas and becards. Usually seen as single birds high in the canopy, often perching on exposed branches and calling persistently: a penetrating whistled “swee-u,” repeated and alternated with “ji-ji-jit.” Combination of striped head, small bill, and blurry dark streaking below is distinctive.
BELIZE HABITAT - Sub-canopy and canopy within broadleaf forest interior and edge. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common but somewhat local summer resident, late February to mid-September. Unrecorded from cayes. |
Social Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher - Looks like a mini version of Boat-billed Flycatcher; in particular note Social’s small bill. Common in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in semi-open areas with trees and hedges, woodland edge, towns, gardens. Often noisy and ‘social’ (some of its calls suggest parakeets); usually found in pairs or small groups, often perching conspicuously. Eats a lot of berries, and often occurs alongside Boat-billed Flycatcher and Great Kiskadee in fruiting figs and other trees.
BELIZE HABITAT - The most wide-ranging of the kiskadees; broadleaf and pine forest and forest edge, second growth, open country with scattered trees, towns and villages. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Very common resident on mainland and Ambergris Caye. |
Great Kisadee
Great Kisadee - Large, boldly marked, and boisterous. Rather stocky with large head and short tail. Found in shrubby woodlands, often near clearings or bodies of water. Prefers conspicuous perches. Bright with yellow belly and orange-brown wings and tail. Listen for loud "kis-ka-dee" calls. Feeds on a variety of animals and plants, including fish, insects, lizards, and fruit.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within most open habitats and forest edge, including broadleaf and pine, second growth, fields, and marshes with scattered trees, parks, towns, and villages. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Very common resident on mainland; fairly common resident on Ambergris Caye and regular winter visitor to Caye Caulker. |
Boat-Billed Flycatcher
Boat Billed Flycatcher - Large striking flycatcher of tropical and subtropical forest and woodland; also in semi-open areas with taller trees. Perches mainly at mid-upper levels, often in the canopy. Fairly common in most areas, but uncommon and local in West Mexico. Told from widespread Great Kiskadee, which prefers more open and less wooded habitats, by dull olive upperparts (lacking the bright rusty wings and tail of kiskadee) and stouter bill, with a more strongly arched ridge along the top. The two species sound quite different.
BELIZE HABITAT - Most common inside broadleaf forests near rivers, streams, and natural clearings and along forest edge. Absent from expansive open areas and low second-growth forest. Where can I find this bird in Belize? Fairly common to common resident on mainland. |