Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Tyrannidae
Genus:	Mionectes
Species:	M. oleagineus
Binomial name
Mionectes oleagineus (Lichtenstein, 1823)
Synonyms
Mionectes oleaginea (lapsus)

The Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus, is a small bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from southern Mexico through Central America, and South America east of the Andes as far as southern Brazil, and on Trinidad and Tobago.

This is a common bird in humid forests, usually in undergrowth near water. It makes a moss-covered ball nest with a side entrance, which is suspended from a root or branch, often over water. The female incubates the typical clutch of two or three white eggs for 18-20 days, with about the same period for the young, initially covered with grey down, to fledge.

Adult Ochre-bellied Flycatchers are 12.7cm long and weigh 11g. They have olive-green upperparts, and the head and upper breast are also green. The rest of the underparts are ochre-coloured, there are two buff wing bars, and the feathers of the closed wing are edged with buff. The male is slightly larger than the female, but otherwise similar.

There are a number of subspecies, which differ in the distinctness of the wing bars or the shade of the upperparts. This species was previously placed in the genus Pipromorpha.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher is an inconspicuous bird which, unusually for a tyrant flycatcher, feeds mainly on seeds and berries, and some insects and spiders.

The calls of the male include a high-pitched chip, and a loud choo. His display includes jumping, flutter-flight and hovering. He takes no part in rearing the young.

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Mionectes oleagineus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• ffrench, Richard (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago (2nd edition ed.). Comstock Publishing. ISBN 0-8014-9792-2. 
• Hilty, Steven L (2003). Birds of Venezuela. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5. 
• Snow, B.K. & Snow, D.W. (1979). "The Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and the Evolution of Lek Behavior." Condor 81(3)