Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/ Species photography guide # Atlantic Royal Flycatcher Photography Holidays *Onychorhynchus coronatus* Explore our Atlantic Royal Flycatcher photography holidays in [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/) & [Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/brazil/), planned to give photographers proper time with this species during the breeding season from September to January offers the best light and greatest activity.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/#nl-species-related) ![Atlantic Royal Flycatcher photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg) ## At a glance Trips3 associated holidays Where[Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/brazil/) & [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) Species profile ## About this species The Atlantic Royal Flycatcher is a striking bird found in the forests of eastern Brazil, known for its spectacular crest which is rarely displayed but reveals vivid red & orange plumage when fanned open. It is a medium-sized flycatcher with brownish upperparts & a distinctive elongated, hammer-shaped head profile. The species is typically found near streams & forest edges where it hunts insects with agile aerial sallies. **Habitat** Humid Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil, particularly along shaded stream banks & forest interiors at low to mid elevations, where dense vegetation & proximity to water provide ideal foraging & nesting conditions. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_flycatcher) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Atlantic Royal Flycatcher with us in [Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/brazil/) & [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/). These departures are part of our [Central America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/) & [South America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Early morning during the breeding season from September to January offers the best light & greatest activity, as birds are most vocal & likely to display their crests during courtship interactions. **Approach** Position yourself near streams or forest clearings where the bird regularly perches on low branches, allowing for closer approach & cleaner backgrounds. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze any movement, & be patient as the bird often returns to favoured perches. If fortunate enough to witness crest display behaviour, ensure your autofocus is locked on the head to capture the vivid plumage in sharp detail. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Basilisk Lizard](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/basilisk-lizard/)[Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-jeans-poison-dart-frog/)[Chestnut-headed Oropendola](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-headed-oropendola/)[Chestnut-mandibled Toucan](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-mandibled-toucan/)[Collared Aracari](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/collared-aracari/)[Emerald Toucanet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/emerald-toucanet/)[Fiery-throated Hummingbird](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-throated-hummingbird/)[Glass Frog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/glass-frog/)[Great Kiskadee](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/great-kiskadee/)[Green Iguana](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/green-iguana/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Atlantic Royal Flycatcher The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Atlantic Royal Flycatcher in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg) #### Related holiday Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica gives guests time in Brazil & Costa Rica where Atlantic Royal Flycatcher can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) Route Destination Signature Destination Photographing Atlantic Royal Flycatcher One of the most sought-after flycatchers in the Neotropics, the Atlantic Royal Flycatcher is a subtly plumaged bird with a spectacular secret: when the crest is raised, it reveals an enormous fan of scarlet & blue feathers that transforms the bird entirely. Crests are raised during courtship displays & occasionally when a bird is handled or excited by a rival, making an open-crest encounter one of the rarest & most exciting photographic events on a Costa Rica trip. Where NaturesLens Takes You NaturesLens photographs the Atlantic Royal Flycatcher in rainforest interior & humid forest edges on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, where the species forages for insects over shaded streams & forest-floor clearings. The subdued colours of the closed-crest bird are in themselves attractive – but photographers always have one eye open for the glorious raised-fan display. Photography Technique & Gear In the low-contrast light of forest understorey, a fast f/4 prime or bright f/5.6 zoom at 300-500mm combined with ISO 800-1600 is typical. The bird is small & often active; track it in continuous autofocus & be prepared to switch to single-shot for the rare moments the crest rises. If you see the crest begin to lift, do not stop shooting. The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Atlantic Royal Flycatcher is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Atlantic Royal Flycatcher in Brazil & Costa Rica. During our photography holidays, the Atlantic Royal Flycatcher is often photographed alongside Basilisk Lizard, Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Collared Aracari, & Emerald Toucanet. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-6 guests Experienced guidance 3 departures - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) Full ### 23rd Apr - 4th May 2027 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, April 2027, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) - [![Join Us For The Birds of Brazil Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/A-Red-breasted-Toucan-on-a-tree-branch-one-of-the-species-that-you-will-be-able-to-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Brazil-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brazil/birds-of-brazil/) ### 26th May - 3rd Jun 2027 - Birds of Brazil **Location:** Brazil Photograph Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest birds on an eight-night, three-base photography holiday, 26 May - 3 June 2027: toucans, toucanets, tanagers & hummingbirds. **8 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£4499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Birds of Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brazil/birds-of-brazil/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) ### 6th - 17th May 2028 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, May 2028, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£5999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) -