Lesser Kiskadee

The Lesser Kiskadee is a small, water-loving flycatcher found year-round in Ecuador’s eastern lowlands, where it inhabits swampy forests, river edges, and wet shrublands below about 600 meters. It is locally common in suitable habitats, often seen perched low near water or making short sallies to catch insects, its bright yellow belly and bold facial markings giving it a striking appearance. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population is large but suspected to be slowly declining due to habitat degradation. Unlike its louder cousin the Great Kiskadee, this species is more secretive, and its soft, chattering calls often go unnoticed amid the dense riverside vegetation.