Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps Scientific name definitions

The Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher is one of just two species of Todirostrum that is found in Central America; the other being the Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum), which ranges even further north. The present species occurs from eastern Costa Rica south to South America, where it reaches south to western Ecuador and east as far as westernmost Venezuela. It prefers the canopy and edge of humid forest and tall second growth, and occurs to approximately 1500 m. The Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher rarely follows mixed-species flocks, preferring to forage in pairs or alone, and taking a variety of insectivorous prey. It is considered uncommon to fairly common, but its preference for the canopy makes the species easily overlooked, even by ornithologists familiar with its lively ‘chipping’ calls. The nest is typical of the genus, although information on breeding biology is still relatively scant.

8–10·2 cm; 6–6·5 g. Distinctive. Has glossy black crown and side of head contrasting with white throat and yellowish-olive upperparts ; sometimes narrow white supraloral spot; wings black, two yellow wingbars and yellow edgings; tail rather short, black; underparts bright yellow; iris dark brown; bill black; legs blue-grey to blackish. Sexes alike. Juvenile has duller black head, yellow-tinged throat, paler yellow underparts, olive-tinged wing markings.

Call a lively single or double “chip”, “peep” or “pik”; song a slow series of usually 5–8 (up to 12) high-pitched sharp “tsip” or “jyip” notes, the first somewhat lower, final ones accelerating and increasing slightly in volume; incubating female utters soft trill.

Nest found in Jun and birds taken in breeding condition in Feb, in Colombia; nest found in Aug, in Panama. Nest is an untidy short pouch with dangling “tail” and visor-shaded side entrance, made from plant fibres and lined with seed down, suspended from drooping branch 3–15 m up, almost always near a wasp nest . Clutch 1 egg; no information available on incubation and fledging periods.