White-throated Tyrannulet

Fairly common within its high-Andean range in western Venezuela; a widespread temperate-zone flycatcher that is one of the more reliable high-elevation specialties on Mérida/Táchira tours, with a separate lower-elevation population in the NE coastal mountains.

Small flycatcher; the conspicuous white throat, often looking puffed out and extending past the ear coverts, is diagnostic. Dark olive-gray crown and nape, dusky face with white lores and a thin white supercilium and some white on the ear coverts, olive-gray upperparts; a gray vest-like breast band and medium-yellow lower underparts. Note two pale wingbars.

Temperate Andean landscapes 2,800–3,500 m (W Venezuela ~1,350–3,700 m; E Venezuela lower, ~1,300–2,450 m): interior and edge of humid montane forest, stunted/elfin cloud forest, Polylepis woodland, and shrubby clearings and pastures.

Active, often in pairs and a frequent member of high-elevation mixed-species flocks; forages restlessly in shrubs and low trees, sallying and gleaning. Vocal and conspicuous, frequently the lead voice in a treeline flock.

Excited-sounding dawn song rendered "ch'd'dik, ch'd'dik, ch'd'dik, chéw" with variable emphasis, plus sharp chattering call notes. Easy to learn and a great flock-finder. Reference recordings on Xeno-canto and Macaulay Library under "White-throated Tyrannulet" or "Mecocerculus leucophrys".

Use the song as a flock magnet — its excited 'ch'd'dik' often anchors a treeline mixed flock, so play/whistle clients onto the call and the rest of the high-Andean flock comes with it. Point out the puffed white throat to separate it cleanly from White-banded Tyrannulet, the main confusion species at the same elevation.