White-throated Spadebill (Platyrinchus mystaceus)

Identification & Behavior: ~9.5 cm (3.7 in). The White-throated Spadebill is mostly olive-brown. The sides of the head are blackish with a central brown area that creates a patterned head. It has a semi-concealed yellow crown patch that may be difficult to see in the field. The bill is flat, broad at the base, and black with a pale base on the lower mandible. The throat is white. It forages in the understory of humid montane forests. The White-throated Spadebill is similar to the Yellow-throated Spadebill but is distinguished by having a white throat, an olive-brown crown, mostly blackish bill, and patterned sides of the head.

Status: The White-throated Spadebill is uncommon in montane forests of the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 800-2000 m. It also occurs in the humid forest of extreme northwest Peru in Tumbes. The White-throated Spadebill also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Pico-Chato de Garganta Blanca.

Sub-species: White-throated Spadebill (Platyrinchus mystaceus zamorae), (Chapman), 1924.  E Ecuador S along Andes to SE Peru (S to W Madre de Dios).
(Platyrinchus mystaceus partridgei), Short, 1969.  extreme SE Peru (S Puno) and W & C Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba, SW Santa Cruz).

Meaning of Name: Platyrinchus: Gr. platus= broad and rhunkhos= bill. Platurrhunkhos= broad-billed. mystaceus: L. Gr. mustax, mustakos= moustache, mystaceus= moustached.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae