High in the emerald embrace of the Costa Rican rainforest, a fleeting movement catches your eye. A flash of yellow glides through the leaves, briefly perching on a branch before vanishing again. This could be the dazzling Yellow-winged Flycatcher, an acrobatic resident of the upper canopy.
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The Yellow-winged Flycatcher, also known as the Yellow-backed Flycatcher or Zimmer’s Flatbill (depending on location), is a captivating insectivore that adorns our mountain forests. While not the easiest to spot, with a bit of patience and a keen ear, you might be lucky enough to encounter this feathered jewel.
Un Maestro del Camuflaje
At just 13 cm tall, the Yellow-winged Flycatcher is a master of camouflage. Its upper body is cloaked in fresh green-yellow plumage, blending perfectly with the dappled light filtering through the leaves. The underside is slightly lighter, creating a subtle contrast.
But the true revealing clue of this flycatcher lies in its wings. Each flight feather is edged with a bright yellow flash, a distinctive feature that justifies its name. However, these bright edges are relatively narrow and are only really visible when the bird is in flight or spreads its wings.
Una Vida Entre las Hojas
The Yellow-winged Flycatcher is a true inhabitant of the rainforest canopy. Perched high on a hidden branch, it scrutinizes the world below with its dark brown eyes, always vigilant for a tasty insect. Unlike some flycatchers that actively hunt their prey, the Yellow-winged Flycatcher prefers a «wait and catch» approach.
Patient and focused, it waits for an unsuspecting insect to pass by, then, with a lightning-fast move, snatches it in mid-air. Its broad and slightly flattened bill, a characteristic of the «Flatbills» subfamily, is perfectly designed to scoop up these tiny morsels.
The Song of the Mountains
If spotting the Yellow-winged Flycatcher can be a challenge, its voice might be your best bet to detect it. Its song is a series of clear, ascending whistles, often described as having a nasal tone. In some parts of Costa Rica, its calls may even sound like buzzing, adding another layer of intrigue to its identification.
A Species in Transition
Interestingly, the Yellow-winged Flycatcher is currently undergoing a taxonomic change. Populations located west of the Andes in Costa Rica and neighboring countries are now considered a separate species: the Yellow-backed Flycatcher (Tolmomyias flavotectus). Birds east of the Andes retain the scientific name Tolmomyias assimilis and the common name Yellow-winged Flycatcher (or Zimmer’s Flatbill).
A Glimpse into the Rainforest Canopy
Whether you encounter the Yellow-backed Flycatcher or the Yellow-winged Flycatcher here in our Costa Rican mountains, observing this elusive bird is a true delight. It’s a reminder of the hidden wonders thriving in the lush canopy of the rainforest, a world waiting to be explored by the curious naturalist.
Keep your eyes peeled, listen for its ascending whistles, and you might spot this magnificent inhabitant of the Costa Rican mountains!
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