Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Identification

A large flycatcher with bold black and white stripes on the face, a white throat, light yellow underparts with blackish streaks, a rufous tail, and a heavy bill with a hooked tip.

Upperparts are a mix of pale yellow and charcoal. Wing feathers have extensive white markings. Rufous tail feathers have dark shafts.

Adult

A large flycatcher with a large head, heavy bill, striped face, rufous tail, and streaky yellowish underparts. Easily identified (and often located) by its distinctive “squeaky toy” call, given mainly during the breeding season.

Often perches in canopy foliage for extended periods before taking flight to pursue insects.

Note black mask through eye, whitish stripes above and below eye, and blackish malar stripes meeting on the chin.

Pair

Often occurs in pairs during the breeding season and in small family groups at other times.

Nests in tree cavities, with sycamores often used in southeastern Arizona.

Found in woodlands and forests ranging from thorn scrub and dry forest to rainforest, but generally not found in the interior of extensive forest.

Adult

Typically remains high in trees, making short flights in pursuit of flying insects.