Tawny-breasted Flycatcher Myiobius villosus Scientific name definitions

Tawny-breasted Flycatcher inhabits foothills and subtropical forest on the eastern slope of the Andes from Colombia south to Bolivia, and in the Chocó region of the northwestern Andes in Colombia and Ecuador (as well as easternmost Panama). They stay in the undergrowth and at lower levels, especially near water, where they frequently join mixed-species foraging flocks. This flycatcher is a fairly active feeder, flashing its tail and turning abruptly in an almost redstart-like manner. Although similar in appearance to the other Myiobius flycatchers, sharing the yellow rump and rounded, black tail, they are the largest and darkest species of the genus. Furthermore, the Tawny-breasted Flycatcher also occurs at higher elevations than its close relatives. Additionally, the brown coloration on their breast and flanks is distinctive. The call of the Tawny-breasted Flycatcher is an emphatic spikt!

14 cm; 13 g. Large eyes, prominent long rictal bristles. Male nominate race has crown, nape, and upperparts dark brownish-olive, semi-concealed yellow coronal patch, paler supraloral area, pale eyering broader to rear, greyer on face; rump sulphur-yellow, uppertail-coverts black; wings dark with olive-brown feather edges; tail long, rounded, black; throat dirty white, underparts mostly ochre to tawny-brown, central belly dull yellow; iris dark; bill broad, upper mandible grey to black, lower mandible dull pinkish with dusky tip; legs grey. Distinguished from M. sulphureipygius by larger size, darker coloration, especially on underparts. Female is similar to male, but coronal patch cinnamon-rufous or absent. Races differ subtly in plumage, mainly in coloration of upperparts and underparts: schaeferi resembles nominate but has stronger indication of breastband; peruvianus has more distinct band on breast, more extensive yellow below; clarus differs from previous in generally greener upperparts.

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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.