Habits
In pairs or small family parties and not associated with mixed-species flocks.
Voice
A variably complex series of squeaky, high-pitched phrases repeated in a somewhat jerky and sputtering manner. Always slower and shorter than songs of Pearly-breasted Conebill (Conirostrum margaritae). Soft foraging calls include a high, sibilant 'tsiik'.
Bicolored Conebill (Conirostrum bicolor) [XC414211]
by Marcelo Jordani Feliti from Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil (song)
Bicolored Conebill (Conirostrum bicolor) [XC353173]
by Roberto Buss Stringari from Isla Salamanca NNP, Sitionuevo, Magdalena, Colombia (call)
Nest
A deep cup composed of grass mixed with feathers in mangroves 0.3-4m above the water surface.
Subspecies
Genus has sometimes been placed in Coerebidae or Parulidae, but molecular-genetic data indicate that it belongs in present family, with Oreomanes as sister-group. This species previously placed in Ateleodacnis, and some taxonomists argue that, along with the other lowland conebills (Chestnut-vented Conebill (Conirostrum speciosum), White-eared Conebill (Conirostrum leucogenys) and Pearly-breasted Conebill (Conirostrum margaritae)), it should be returned to that genus. As a group they are morphologically distinct from most highland members of present genus.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
bicolor (Vieillot, 1809) - Colombia from south-west of Cartagena (Fuerte I) eastern along coast, including Margareta I and Trinidad, locally to northern and eastern Brazil (Amapá, and mouth of R Amazon, eastern then southern very locally to Sío Paulo). Also locally along R Branco (north-central Brazil).
minus (Hellmayr, 1935) - Both banks of R Amazon in north-eastern Peru, south-eastern Colombia and Brazil east to vicinity of R Madeira and R Tapajós, and probably (records spotty) to near mouth of R Amazon.
Similar Species
Pearly-breasted Conebill (Conirostrum margaritae) is very similar, but lacks the buff tones on the underparts of Bicolored Conebill (Conirostrum bicolor) and is slightly paler, almost faded grey on the upperparts.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet