Common tody-flycatcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common tody-flycatcher |
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| In Costa Rica | |
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| Genus: |
Todirostrum
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| Species: |
cinereum
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The common tody-flycatcher is a very small and active bird. It is also called the black-fronted tody-flycatcher. This tiny bird belongs to a group known as tyrant flycatchers. You can find these birds living in many places. Their home stretches from southern Mexico all the way to parts of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.
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Meet the Common Tody-Flycatcher
The common tody-flycatcher is a really small bird. It measures about 9.5 to 10.2 centimeters (3.7 to 4 inches) long. It's also very light, weighing only about 6.5 to 6.8 grams (0.23 to 0.24 ounces). This bird has a big head for its size. It also has a long, flat, and straight black beak.
Its head is black on top. This color fades to dark grey on the back of its neck. The rest of its upper body is a dark olive-green. Its tail is usually held up high. It is black with white tips. The wings are dark, almost black. They have two bright yellow bars and yellow edges on the feathers. The whole underside of the bird is a bright yellow. Both male and female birds look very similar. Young birds have a greyer head and lighter wing markings.
What Does It Sound Like?
Male tody-flycatchers have a special call. It sounds like a fast, ticking noise. People describe it as te’e’e’e’e’e’t. It can sound a bit like a grasshopper. At dawn, they sing a very fast, high tic sound. They can repeat this sound up to 110 times every minute. They keep singing for many minutes without stopping!
Where Do They Live?
The common tody-flycatcher is a very common bird. You can often see it in gardens and shady farms. It also likes areas with new plant growth. You might find them at the edges of forests or in clearings. However, they usually stay away from very thick, old forests. They also don't like dry, desert-like places.
These birds are usually seen in pairs. They move quickly, darting around to catch small insects. They often hover in the air to pick tiny bugs off plants. As they move sideways along branches, they often wag their tails.
Building a Home and Raising Chicks
Common tody-flycatchers build their nests from sea level up to about 1,150 meters (3,770 feet) high. Sometimes, they build them even higher, up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). Both the male and female birds work together to build the nest.
Their nest is shaped like a pouch. It has a side entrance that looks like a small visor. They usually hang this nest from a thin branch or vine. The nest is often about 1 to 5 meters (3 to 16 feet) off the ground. But sometimes, they can build it as high as 30 meters (98 feet) up!
The female bird lays two white eggs. These eggs usually don't have any spots. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm. This is called incubating. The eggs hatch after about 15 to 16 days.
