White-eyed Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus zosterops Scientific name definitions

Formerly treated as being conspecific with the White-bellied Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus griseipectus) of southern Amazonia, the White-eyed Tody-Tyrant is exclusively distributed north of the Amazon River, although some authorities have treated the northeast Brazilian taxon Hemitriccus griseipectus naumburgae within the present species rather than within its south-bank replacement. It bears noting that, despite their vernacular names, both species possess pale irides, but the present species has far more yellowish underparts, among other differences. The White-eyed Tody-Tyrant is easily overlooked without knowledge of its insect-like vocalizations. It ranges from the southern Guianas across northern Amazonia as far as southeast Colombia and northeast Peru, and is usually encountered alone, more occasionally in pairs, in the understory or midstory of terra firme forest to at least 850 m. The White-bellied Tody-Tyrant is generally fairly common throughout its range.

11 cm; 7·8–10 g. Nominate race has crown and upperparts olive-green, supraloral area whitish, indistinct white eyering; wings dusky, two fairly distinct yellowish wingbars, bright olive-yellow edges of remiges; tail dusky olive; throat grey, streaked dusky, breast and flanks olive, flammulated yellow, belly clear pale yellow; iris pale grey or straw-yellow (sometimes reddish-brown); bill black, base of lower mandible pinkish; legs dark grey. Sexes similar. Race flaviviridis is brighter than nominate, more yellowish-green above, underparts with stronger yellow flammulation (presenting greener, less grey, tinge); <em>naumburgae</em> has upperparts paler, yellower green, belly whitish.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Occupies humid terra firme forest, especially in hilly terrain and foothills; recorded up to 850 m.

Resident.

Usually solitary, occasionally in pairs; only occasionally follows mixed-species flocks. Perches inconspicuously, but often on very open perches in lower and middle growth of forest below canopy; makes short upward strikes to glean prey from undersides of leaves.

Nominate race song type a dry 1-second trill, rising and then falling slightly in pitch, slowing towards end, and immediately preceded by distinct single note (very similar to songs of H. minor and Lophotriccus, but with initial distinct note and gradually slowing during trill); flaviviridis an insect-like, staccato series of 5–11 notes with metallic tonal quality and on same pitch, sometimes introduced or concluded by separate, distinctly higher note, “pik, pik-pik-pik-pik”; <em>naumburgae</em> primary song “kwidíp” or “kwididíp”, similar to that of H. griseipectus.

No published information. Nest reported as being pendent.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon to locally fairly common. Fairly common in Serranías Cofán (Sucumbíos), in Ecuador; occurs also in Jaú National Park, in Brazil. Isolated NE Brazilian race naumburgae is poorly known; present in Mata Estrela Private Reserve (Rio Grande do Norte), Murici Ecological Reserve (Alagoas) and Pedra Branca/Fazenda Bananeira Reserve (Alagoas).