White-crested Spadebill (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in). The White-crested Spadebill has brownish upperparts with a dusky crown and semi-concealed white crown patch. The throat is white and grades to olive-brown towards the rest of the underparts. The bill is flat, broad at the base, and bicolored. It forages in the understory of the forest in Amazonia. It is similar to the Golden-crowned Spadebill but is distinguished by having a white throat, a dusky crown, no patterned sides of the head, and a larger size.

Status: The White-crested Spadebill is rare and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1000 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pico-Chato de Cresta Blanca.

Sub-species: White-crested Spadebill (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos senex), P. L. Sclater and Salvin, 1880

Meaning of Name: Platyrinchus: Gr. platus= broad and rhunkhos= bill. Platurrhunkhos= broad-billed. platyrhynchos: Gr. platus= broad and rhunkhos= bill. Platurrhunkhos= broad-billed.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae