Gray-cheeked Nunlet Nonnula frontalis Scientific name definitions

Despite the Gray-cheeked Nunlet having a relatively tiny range, which extends from central Panama as far south as north-central Colombia, three subspecies are generally recognized, and one of these, the nominate, has even been suggested to constitute more than one taxon based on differences in coloration observed in specimens. This species forms a superspecies with the Rufous-capped Nunlet (Nonnula ruficapilla) of southern Amazonia, and the Chestnut-headed Nunlet (Nonnula amaurocephala), which is restricted to a tiny area of northwest Brazil. The Gray-cheeked Nunlet is undoubtedly rare, but the species is not treated as being globally threatened, and its apparent scarcity is assuredly much influenced by the species’ unobtrusive habits and a relative lack of knowledge of its vocalizations. It is usually found at lower levels in moist forests, including riverine patches, second growth and thickets, and has been recorded to at least 1000 m. This nunlet occasionally joins mixed-species foraging flocks, and has been observed taking a variety of insect prey. The nesting behaviour of the entire genus Nonnula is very poorly known, and to date a nest of the Gray-cheeked Nunlet remains to be discovered.

14–15 cm; 14·5–19·5 g. Crown very dark chestnut, upperparts plain brown, rump brighter; grey lores, supercilium, and ear-coverts, thin darker eyestripe; tail graduated about a quarter length, square-tipped, dark brown, blackish near tip; chin to lower breast and flanks rufous, centre of abdomen buffy, undertail-coverts white; bill silvery-blue or grey, black on culmen and cutting edges; iris dark brown, bare orbital ring reddish; feet dull brown or greenish-grey. Immature paler, duller. Race pallescens has entire upperparts paler, crown very dull, throat and breast buff; <em>stulta</em> has crown very dark and dull, tail blacker except for outer feathers, rump drabber.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Orthopterans, caterpillars, earwigs (Dermaptera), small beetles, membracids, and spiders. Sometimes joins mixed foraging flocks of antwrens (Myrmotherula), small flycatchers (Tyrannidae) and others.

A plaintive, measured series of up to 20 notes  , “weeip weeip, weeip...”.