The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, in the breeding season ranges from southeastern Arizona, south through Sonora Mexico to Central America. They are fairly common summer residents to the larger canyons of the Sky Island Mountains in southeastern Arizona such as Cave Creek, Ramsey, Madera, Harshaw, and Sycamore Canyons. They have shown up as vagrants in other border states.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers are relatively late in arriving to breeding grounds, usually around mid-May when other flycatcher species are well into their breeding season. Their arrival is heralded by the persistent ‘squeaky-toy’ calls as breeding pairs setup and defend territories. The persistence and volume of calling increases in the presence of a competitor (any other cavity nester) or a threat like the Cooper’s Hawk. They nest in tree cavities and enlarged woodpecker holes, mostly in Arizona Sycamores.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers are visually recognized by brown-streaked pale yellow under-parts, rusty-brown rump and tail, black mask and malar stripe, and streaked brown back. They are the only flycatcher in North America that is boldly streaked in adult plumage. Like many other species in the Tyrant Flycatcher family, Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers sport a yellow crest which is usually hidden unless the agitated. Because of this streaked plumage, they can be difficult to detect visually when perched within foliage though their calls will reveal their presence. Their diet consists primarily of flying insects which they sally for from the upper canopy and caterpillars & berries which are gleamed from mid- and low-level foliage. They spend a lot of time chasing one another and other bird species.