Choco Tyrannulet

The Choco Tyrannulet is a scarce resident of northwestern Ecuador, confined to humid lowland and foothill forests of the Chocó region from near sea level up to about 1,200 m. It is typically found in pairs or small groups, often joining mixed-species flocks as it forages actively in the canopy for insects. The species is considered uncommon and patchily distributed, and due to extensive deforestation in its restricted range, it is assessed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Its small size, energetic behavior, and reliance on intact forest make it a vulnerable yet distinctive member of Ecuador’s Chocó avifauna.