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Ochre-lored Flatbill
Birds Active during the day

Ochre-lored Flatbill

Tolmomyias flaviventris

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

With its sun-drenched plumage and specialized wide bill, the Ochre-lored Flatbill is a master of the tropical canopy. Known for building gravity-defying hanging nests, this charismatic flycatcher brings a flash of gold to backyard gardens across South America.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length of 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches); weight approximately 11-13 grams (0.4-0.5 oz)

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Colors

Olive-green upperparts, vibrant yellow underparts (brightest on breast), buff-colored facial lores, and two yellowish wing bars.

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Key Features

  • Broad, flattened bill with a small hook
  • Distinctive ochre or buff-colored lores (area between eye and bill)
  • Vibrant yellow breast and belly
  • Olive-green crown and back with pale wing bars
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When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day
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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-5 PM
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Season Year-round
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Diet Primarily insectivorous; they specialize in catching flies, beetles, and small wasps through 'sally-gleaning' (darting from a perch to snatch prey off foliage) or mid-air hawks.
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Habitat Open woodlands, forest edges, mangroves, second-growth forests, and well-treed suburban gardens.

Behavior

The Ochre-lored Flatbill is a lively and vocal member of the tyrant flycatcher family, usually found moving through the mid-to-upper levels of the canopy. They are most frequently seen in pairs or as part of mixed-species foraging flocks, where they use their broad bills to snatch insects from the air or the underside of leaves. They have a restless energy, often flitting from branch to branch while emitting a series of high-pitched, rhythmic whistles that announce their territory.

One of their most fascinating behaviors is their intricate nest-building. They construct long, pear-shaped, hanging nests made of dark, wiry plant fibers. These nests often feature a side entrance and are frequently located near wasp nests, a clever strategy used to deter potential predators like monkeys or larger birds. Despite being small, they are quite bold and will defend their nesting territory with persistent vocalizations.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Ochre-lored Flatbill on camera, focus your efforts on the 'edge' zones of your yard where tall trees meet open spaces. Because these birds prefer the mid-canopy, mount your camera at a height of 5 to 8 feet, ideally on a tree trunk or a sturdy pole overlooking a flowering shrub. These shrubs attract the insects that flatbills hunt, providing the perfect stage for an action shot.

Since they are insect-eaters, traditional seed feeders won't attract them. Instead, the absolute best lure is a moving water source. A shallow birdbath equipped with a solar-powered dripper or a small fountain is irresistible to them, especially in the heat of the afternoon. The sound of splashing water will draw them down from the high canopy for a drink or a bath, bringing them right into your camera's field of view.

Set your camera to a high-speed trigger mode or 'Action' setting. These birds are fast and rarely stay still for long; a trigger speed of 0.2 seconds or faster is ideal to catch them mid-flight or during a sally. If your camera supports video, use short 10-second clips at 60fps to capture their distinctive tail-flicking and head-cocking behaviors. Early morning light provides the best illumination for their yellow feathers without blowing out the highlights.

If you are lucky enough to spot one of their hanging nests—which look like a clump of dark, dried grass dangling from a branch—position your camera at least 15 feet away. Use a zoom lens if possible to avoid disturbing the parents. Watching the adults return with insects is a fantastic way to document their lifecycle, but always prioritize the bird's safety by keeping a respectful distance from the nesting site.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Ochre-lored Flatbill.

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Slightly larger with a darker, more grayish crown and lacks the warm ochre face patches.

Yellow-margined Flatbill

Very similar but typically found in more humid, primary forests and has a distinctively different song.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active in the early morning, starting just after sunrise, and again in the late afternoon. This is when the insects they hunt are most prevalent.
The best way to attract them is by providing a birdbath with moving water and maintaining native trees that support local insect populations. They do not eat birdseed.
Their diet consists entirely of small insects, including beetles, flies, and wasps, which they catch using their wide, flat bills.
Yes, they are highly adaptable and frequently inhabit suburban gardens and parks that have mature trees and plenty of shrubbery.
Look for the 'ochre' (yellowish-tan) patch between the eye and the bill. Their extremely flat, wide beak and rhythmic whistling call are also key identifiers.

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