25 January 2010, Chagres River, Gamboa, Panama

This small monotypic flycatcher ranges from Costa Rica to Bolivia and Brazil. Relationships between this sole representative of the genus Tyrannulus are unclear. The scales on its tarsus are unlike other American flycatchers, leading Ridgway to include it with the Cotingas. Plumage-wise
it resembles the Forest Elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii) more than other tyrannulets. Also it does not cock its tail in the manner of most
tyrannulets. Current checklists place it between the tyrannulets and the elaenias. It may be ancestral to both.

The yellow crown is difficult to see in the field. This individual was wet from bathing.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held (no adapter)