Sclater's Tyrannulet vs Planalto Tyrannulet

In short

Sclater's Tyrannulet and Planalto Tyrannulet are small, olive-green flycatchers with subtle differences. Sclater's Tyrannulet shows a grayer crown and cleaner white underparts, while Planalto Tyrannulet has pale yellowish underparts and a distinctive soft trisyllabic whistle. Both species have a pale supercilium and two wing bars.

Identification tips

• Check the crown color: Sclater's has a grayer crown compared to the rest of its olive upperparts.
• Underparts color: Sclater's is clean white below, while Planalto is pale yellowish.
• Listen for vocalizations: Planalto's soft trisyllabic whistle can be distinctive.
• Habitat: Note if the bird is in humid forest or tall second growth, which is preferred by Planalto Tyrannulet.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of small tyrannulets.

Plumage

Sclater's Tyrannulet is dull olive above with a grayer crown and clean white below, featuring two broad white wing bars and a pale supercilium. Planalto Tyrannulet is olive-green above with pale yellowish underparts, a slight pale supercilium, and two pale wing bars.

Habitat

Sclater's Tyrannulet is not specifically noted for habitat preferences, while Planalto Tyrannulet prefers humid forests and tall second growth below 1800 m.

Voice

The Planalto Tyrannulet is known for a soft trisyllabic whistle, which can be a useful identification clue. Sclater's Tyrannulet's vocalizations are less distinctively described.