Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

(Myiodynastes luteiventris)

eBird gives this description for the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher:  Large, streaky flycatcher that sounds remarkably similar to a squeaky toy. Note bold white eyebrow and mustache and bright rufous tail. Large bill. Ranges from Mexico to Bolivia. Within limited distribution in the U.S., has an affinity for sycamore trees in foothills and canyons. Elsewhere in range, found in a wider variety of forested habitats. Distinctive voice is often the first clue to its presence. Compare with Streaked, Variegated, and Piratic Flycatchers; note bill size and voice.

Birds of the World gives this information about the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher to assist in field identification:  Medium to large, conspicuously streaked flycatcher with yellow underparts; length 18-20 cm; mass 45-49 g. Sexes alike. In adults head with distinctive pattern formed by whitish supercilium, bordered below by black mask, broad whitish mustachial stripe, and black malar stripe. Chin blackish (although sometimes whitish), throat whitish, and remaining underparts sulphur yellow coarsely streaked with dusky. Crown through rump grayish olive, streaked and mottled darker; yellow crown patch usually concealed; lower rump through tail largely rufous, with dark shaft streaks on tail feathers. Wings dark brown with feathers edged whitish and often washed pale cinnamon on outer wing coverts. Bill stout, broad, and blackish, with indistinct or no pale area at base of lower mandible. Adult plumage similar throughout year. Juveniles similar to adults but have more extensive cinnamon edges on wing feathers, upperparts washed brownish, little or no yellow in crown, and outermost rectrix with narrower black streak.

I saw, and photographed, my first Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher on the early afternoon of August 5, 2022, near the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.  I was with a small group of birders on a 2022 Southwest Wings Birding Festival tour, led by Richard Fray.  Richard spotted the bird and we got to watch it as it perched in trees across the street from the Lodge.  To read my blog post that includes our visit to Santa Rita Lodge and the spotting of this bird, look here.