Golden-bellied flycatcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden-bellied flycatcher |
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Myiodynastes
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| Species: |
hemichrysus
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The golden-bellied flycatcher (Myiodynastes hemichrysus) is a type of passerine bird. It belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. This bird lives all year round in Costa Rica and western Panama.
Contents
Golden-bellied Flycatcher Facts
Where They Live
These birds prefer to live in wet mountain forests. You can often find them in the tops of trees or at the forest edges. They especially like areas near streams or open spaces.
They live at middle heights in the mountains. This is usually between 700 and 1850 meters (about 2,300 to 6,000 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, in the southern part of their home range, they can be found as high as 2300 meters (about 7,500 feet).
What They Look Like
The golden-bellied flycatcher is about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. It weighs around 41 grams, which is about the same as a few strawberries. It has a black beak.
Colors and Markings
Its head is grey, and it has a hidden yellow patch on its crown. A black stripe, like a mask, goes across its eyes. The top parts of its body are dark olive green. Its wings and tail are brown with a hint of reddish-brown on the edges.
The underside of the bird is bright yellow. Its throat is white with dark stripes on each side. These stripes help tell it apart from other similar birds, like the social or gray-capped flycatchers.
Young Birds
Young golden-bellied flycatchers look a bit different. Their yellow undersides are lighter. Their upper parts are more brownish. They do not have the hidden yellow patch on their head. The reddish-brown edges on their wing and tail feathers are also much clearer.
Reproduction and Nests
The golden-bellied flycatcher builds a shallow, open nest. They often place their nests inside a tree hollow or an old woodpecker nest. Sometimes, they use clumps of plants that grow on trees, called epiphytes. They might also build a nest on a vertical bank covered in plants.
The female bird usually lays three eggs. These eggs are pinkish and have red-brown spots on them.
What They Eat
Golden-bellied flycatchers are good at catching flying insects. They often sit on a high branch, watching. When they spot an insect, they quickly fly out to catch it. Besides insects, they also enjoy eating berries.
Sounds They Make
This bird has a unique call. It sounds like a squeaky seeeik. When the sun comes up, they sing a pretty song. It is a repeated, musical sound that goes tre-le-loo.
