Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~15 cm (6 in). The (Amazonian) Royal Flycatcher has brown upperparts with a cinnamon rump and tail. The underparts are rufous-brown thinly barred with black. The ~16 cm (6.2 in). (Pacific) Royal Flycatcher has brown back. The underparts and tail are cinnamon. Both forms have an ornate crest kept mostly flattened giving the appearance of a hammerhead. The bill is relatively long and bicolored. It forages in the upper understory and midstory. The head shape is diagnostic but in the northwest see Ochraceous Attila.

Status: The (Amazonian) Royal Flycatcher is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia. The (Pacific) Royal Flycatcher breeds in the semi-deciduous forest of Tumbes where it is common during the months of January through May. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Mosquero Real.

Sub-species: Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus occidentalis) (P. L. Sclater), 1860.  W Ecuador (S to El Oro) and extreme NW Peru (Tumbes).
(Onychorhynchus coronatus castelnaui) Deville, 1849.  E of Andes, from SE Colombia and extreme S Venezuela (S Amazonas) S to NE Peru, much of Amazonian Brazil and N Bolivia.

Meaning of Name: Onychorhynchus: Gr. onux, onukhos= nail and rhunkhos= bill. coronatus: L. corona= crown, coronatus= crowned.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae