White-crested Spadebill
Platyrinchus platyrhynchos
The White-crested Spadebill (Platyrinchus platyrhynchos) is a rare tyrant flycatcher found in 9 countries, weighing about 12 g. The white-crested spadebill is a species of passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae.
About the White-crested Spadebill
The white-crested spadebill is a species of passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-crested spadebill is 10.5 to 12 cm (4.1 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 11.5 to 13 g (0.41 to 0.46 oz). It has a large head and a stubby tail; its bill is the widest of all Platyrinchus spadebills. The sexes have almost the same plumage. Adult males of the nominate subspecies P. p. platyrhynchos have a mostly gray head with a darker crown, a partially hidden white patch in the center of the crown, and a pale buffy spot above the lores. Females have a smaller white patch than males. Both sexes' upperparts are russet-brown and their wings and tail are dusky brown. Voice: The white-crested spadebill's song is "a rapid, rising falling musical trill: breeEEE-B'RRRrrrewww" and its call "a loud, descending squeak: pew!". Another rendition of its song is "pr're're'e'e'e'e'E'E'E'R'r'r'r'r'r'r'r'r".
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in August. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-crested Spadebill?
- The white-crested spadebill is 10.5 to 12 cm (4.1 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 11.5 to 13 g (0.41 to 0.46 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-crested Spadebill?
- The White-crested Spadebill is a tiny sized bird weighing about 12 g.
- Where can you see a White-crested Spadebill?
- The White-crested Spadebill occurs in 9 countries, including Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Colombia and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a White-crested Spadebill?
- The White-crested Spadebill is most easily confused with the Russet-winged Spadebill, the Yellow-throated Spadebill and the Cinnamon-crested Spadebill.
- Is the White-crested Spadebill endangered?
- The White-crested Spadebill is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-crested Spadebill for real
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