Onychorhynchidae – Royal Flycatchers

Onychorhynchidae is small family of suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics – Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. There are just nine species in three genera.

Of the four species in the Myiobius genus, the Tawny-breasted Myiobius Myiobius villosus, grows to a length of about 14 cm (5.5 in). The upper parts are mainly dark olive, and the rump is yellow. There is usually a yellow patch on the crown in males that is normally kept hidden; this patch is cinnamon-brown in females. The underparts are mainly reddish-brown, the throat is dull white and the centre of the belly has a pale-yellow patch. The otherwise similar Sulphur-rumped Myiobius Myiobius sulphureipygius, has paler upper parts and much yellower underparts, with tawniness only present at the sides.

Black-tailed Myiobius Myiobius atricaudus –  ©Hector Bottai CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia commons

The Black-tailed Myiobius Myiobius atricaudus, lacks any tawniness on its underparts, but in any event, these are lowland species, with the tawny-breasted myiobius occurring at higher elevations than the other members of its genus, making ID on location easier. The Whiskered Miobius Myiobius barbatus, is very similar in appearance to the other species. It has olive upper parts, an obvious yellow rump and a usually well-concealed yellow patch on the crown. The rictal bristles round the beak are long and form a basket-like structure. The underparts are greyish-olive and the belly pale yellow. The tail is black and somewhat rounded. It is usually a silent bird, but sometimes utters a staccato ‘psik’.

The genus name for the four Royal Flycatchers, Onychorhynchus comes from the Greek words for nail and bill. The specific epithet of the type species, coronatus, and the common name Royal Flycatcher, refer to the striking, colourful crest, which is seen displayed very rarely, except after mating, while preening, in courtship as well as when being handled, so presumably when stressed.

Amazonian Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus – ©Tom Ambrose CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The only other member of the family, the Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus, is 9.0–10.3 cm (3.5–4.1 in) long and weighs 7 g (0.25 oz). The upperparts are grey-olive, with a rufous rump, tail, wings and eye ring. The throat is buff and the breast is cinnamon, becoming pale buff on the belly. Sexes are similar, but young birds are brighter above and have a browner tail and breast. It has a ‘see-oo see ‘call, and a repetitive ‘eek eek eek eek eek’ song. It sometimes flicks both wings up to make a faint whirring sound.