Section 9B – New World Suboscines

Order Passeriformes (Perching Birds)

Antbirds, flycatchers & ovenbirds of the Americas

This subsection covers a large group of passerines centred in Central and South America. It includes manakins, cotingas, tityras and tyrant flycatchers, along with the diverse antbirds, tapaculos, antpittas, and ovenbirds and woodcreepers that dominate many tropical forests and Andean habitats.

These birds occupy a wide range of environments, from lowland rainforests to montane cloud forests, and include many of the most distinctive songbirds of the Americas.

Pipridae – Manakins
Cotingidae – Cotingas
Tityridae – Tityras, Becards, and Allies
Oxyruncidae – Sharpbill
Onychorhynchidae – Royal Flycatchers and Allies
Tyrannidae – Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies
Melanopareiidae – Crescentchests
Conopophagidae – Gnateaters
Thamnophilidae – Antbirds, Antshrikes, Antwrens, and Antvireos
Grallariidae – Antpittas
Rhinocryptidae – Tapaculos
Formicariidae – Antthrushes
Furnariidae – Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers

Species I’ve Seen in This Section

Below are the species I have recorded from these families:

1 Family: Pipridae (Manakins) – 8

Golden‑headed Manakin (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon (Brazil/Peru)
Red‑capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) — Costa Rica
Blue‑backed Manakin (Chiroxiphia pareola) — Trinidad & Tobago
Yellow‑crowned Manakin (Heterocercus flavivertex) — Amazon
Orange‑collared Manakin (Manacus aurantiacus) — Costa Rica
White‑collared Manakin (Manacus candei) — Costa Rica
White‑bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Wire‑tailed Manakin (Pipra filicauda) — Amazon

2 Family: Cotingidae (Cotingas) – 10

Snowy Cotinga (Carpodectes nitidus) — Costa Rica
Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus) — Amazon
Purple‑breasted Cotinga (Cotinga cotinga) — Amazon
Bare‑necked Fruitcrow (Gymnoderus foetidus) — Amazon
Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans) — Amazon
Guianan Red Cotinga (Phoenicircus carnifex) — Amazon
Bearded Bellbird (Procnias averano) — Trinidad & Tobago
Purple‑throated Fruitcrow (Querula purpurata) — Costa Rica
Guianan Cock‑of‑the‑rock (Rupicola rupicola) — Amazon
Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana) — Amazon

3 Family: Tityridae (Tityras, Becards, and Allies) – 8

Rose‑throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) — Costa Rica
Chestnut‑crowned Becard (Pachyramphus castaneus) — Amazon
Cinereous Becard (Pachyramphus cinereus) — Amazon
Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) — Costa Rica
White‑winged Becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus) — Argentina
Varzea Schiffornis (Schiffornis turdina) — Amazon
Black‑tailed Tityra (Tityra cayana) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) — Costa Rica

5 Family: Onychorhynchidae (Royal Flycatchers) – 1

Northern Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus mexicanus) — Costa Rica

6 Family: Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies) – 76

Tufted Tit‑Tyrant (Anairetes parulus) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
White‑headed Marsh Tyrant (Arundinicola leucocephala) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Cinnamon Attila (Attila cinnamomeus) — Amazon
Bright‑rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus) — Amazon
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) — Costa Rica
Yellow‑breasted Flycatcher (Capsiempis flaveola) — Trinidad & Tobago
Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) — Trinidad & Tobago
Long‑tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus) — Costa Rica
White‑ringed Flycatcher (Conopias albovittatus) — Costa Rica
Yellow‑throated Flycatcher (Conopias parvus) — Amazon
Tropical Pewee (Contopus cinereus) — Costa Rica
Dark Pewee (Contopus lugubris) — Costa Rica
Western Wood‑Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) — Yellowstone
Eastern Wood‑Pewee (Contopus virens) — Costa Rica; Texas
White‑crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Yellow‑bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Mountain Elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) — Costa Rica
Black‑capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) — Costa Rica
Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens) — Costa Rica
Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) — Yellowstone
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) — Costa Rica
Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius) — Amazon
Black‑backed Water Tyrant (Fluvicola albiventer) — Argentina
Pied Water Tyrant (Fluvicola pica) — Trinidad & Tobago
Crowned Slaty Flycatcher (Griseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus) — Amazon
Snethlage’s Tody‑Tyrant (Hemitriccus snethlageae) — Amazon
Amazonian Tyrannulet (Inezia subflava) — Amazon
Riverside Tyrant (Knipolegus orenocensis) — Amazon
Euler’s Flycatcher (Lathrotriccus euleri) — Trinidad & Tobago
Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago
Austral Negrito (Lessonia rufa) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosa) — Argentina
Boat‑billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago
Ochre‑bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago
Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) — Costa Rica
Dark‑faced Ground Tyrant (Muscisaxicola maclovianus) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Ash‑throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) — Texas
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) — Costa Rica; Texas
Short‑crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox) — Amazon
Nutting’s Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi) — Costa Rica
Swainson’s Flycatcher (Myiarchus swainsoni) — Amazon
Dusky‑capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) — Costa Rica
Brown‑crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Texas
Sulphur‑rumped Flycatcher (Myiobius sulphureipygius) — Costa Rica
Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Argentina; Amazon
Amazonian Elaenia (Myiopagis cinerea) — Amazon
Yellow‑crowned Elaenia (Myiopagis flavivertex) — Amazon
Forest Elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Rusty‑margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis) — Amazon
Grey‑capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes luteiventris) — Costa Rica
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) — Costa Rica
Lesser Kiskadee (Philohydor lictor) — Amazon
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Argentina; Texas; Amazon
Golden‑crowned Spadebill (Platyrinchus coronatus) — Costa Rica
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) — Texas
Rufous Mourner (Rhytipterna holerythra) — Costa Rica
Yellow‑browed Tyrant (Satrapa icterophrys) — Argentina
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) — Costa Rica; Texas
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) — Texas
Small‑billed Elaenia (Serpophaga parvirostris) — Argentina
Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea) — Costa Rica
River Tyrannulet (Serpophaga hypoleuca) — Amazon
White‑crested Tyrannulet (Serpophaga subcristata) — Argentina
Common Tody‑Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) — Costa Rica
Spotted Tody‑Flycatcher (Todirostrum maculatum) — Amazon
Yellow‑olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) — Amazon
Sulphur‑bellied Flycatcher (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) — Costa Rica
White‑throated Kingbird (Tyrannus albogularis) — Amazon
Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii) — Texas
Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) — Trinidad & Tobago
Scissor‑tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) — Costa Rica; Texas
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Argentina; Texas; Amazon
Fork‑tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) — Costa Rica; Amazon
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) — Yellowstone; Texas
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) — Yellowstone; Texas
Mistletoe Tyrannulet (Zimmerius parvus) — Costa Rica

9 Family: Thamnophilidae (Antbirds, Antshrikes, Antwrens, and Antvireos) – 18

Dusky Antbird (Cercomacroides tyrannina) — Costa Rica
Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus) — Costa Rica
White‑fringed Antwren (Formicivora grisea) — Trinidad & Tobago
Guianan Warbling Antbird (Hypocnemis cantator) — Amazon
Yellow‑browed Antbird (Hypocnemis hypoxantha) — Amazon
Black‑chinned Antbird (Hypocnemoides melanopogon) — Amazon
Chestnut‑backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul) — Costa Rica
White‑bellied Antbird (Myrmeciza longipes) — Trinidad & Tobago
Ash‑breasted Antbird (Myrmoborus lugubris) — Amazon
Leaden Antwren (Myrmotherula assimilis) — Amazon
Cherrie’s Antwren (Myrmotherula cherriei) — Amazon
Klages’s Antwren (Myrmotherula klagesi) — Amazon
Slaty Antwren (Myrmotherula schisticolor) — Costa Rica
Black‑crested Antshrike (Sakesphorus canadensis) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Glossy Antshrike (Sakesphorus luctuosus) — Amazon
Black‑hooded Antshrike (Thamnophilus bridgesi) — Costa Rica
Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Blackish‑gray Antshrike (Thamnophilus nigrocinereus) — Amazon

12 Family: Formicariidae (Antthrushes) – 1

Black‑faced Antthrush (Formicarius analis) — Costa Rica

13 Family: Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers) – 32

Thorn‑tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Yellow‑chinned Spinetail (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus) — Amazon
Dark‑bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes fuscus) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Parker’s Spinetail (Cranioleuca vulpecula) — Amazon
Rusty‑backed Spinetail (Cranioleuca vulpina) — Amazon
Cinnamon‑throated Woodcreeper (Dendrexetastes rufigula) — Amazon
Plain‑brown Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) — Trinidad & Tobago
Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes certhia) — Amazon
Northern Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) — Costa Rica
Wing‑banded Hornero (Furnarius figulus) — Amazon
Lesser Hornero (Furnarius minor) — Amazon
Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) — Argentina
Wedge‑billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus) — Costa Rica; Amazon
Red‑billed Woodcreeper (Hylexetastes perrotii) — Amazon
Narrow‑billed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) — Argentina
Streak‑headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago
Ruddy Treerunner (Margarornis rubiginosus) — Costa Rica
Red‑and‑white Spinetail (Mazaria propinqua) — Amazon
Long‑billed Woodcreeper (Nasica longirostris) — Amazon
White‑throated Treerunner (Pygarrhichas albogularis) — “Antactica” region (Patagonia)
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) — Amazon
Dark‑breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albigularis) — Amazon
Sooty‑fronted Spinetail (Synallaxis frontalis) — Argentina
Yellow‑chinned Spinetail (Synallaxis gujanensis) — Trinidad & Tobago; Argentina
White‑bellied Spinetail (Synallaxis propinqua) — Amazon
Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago
Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius) — Costa Rica
Zimmer’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus kienerii) — Amazon
Striped Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus) — Amazon
Chestnut‑rumped Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus pardalotus) — Amazon
Straight‑billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus picus) — Trinidad & Tobago; Amazon
Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) — Costa Rica; Trinidad & Tobago

End of Section