Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher
Sublegatus obscurior
A confusing flycatcher, fairly small and nondescript. Look for the short bill and round head, sometimes raised into a slight crest. Dull grayish-brown head shows only a hint of a paler line above eye. Chest is paler gray, which blends into the pale yellow belly. Wingbars are present but not bold. Larger and lankier than a beardless-tyrannulet; looks rather like a diminutive Myiarchus flycatcher. Very similar to Southern Scrub-Flycatcher, which may overlap during the Austral winter, but note the overall darker coloration of Amazonian.
Identification
The Amazonian scrub flycatcher can be identified by its gray and white wings, yellow abdomen, gray legs, dark brown bill, and dark gray and brown head. It averages to be about 14 centimeters long and has a round head often raised into a slight crest.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sublegatus obscurior
- Authority
- Todd, 1920
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Sublegatus
Range and habitat
The Amazonian scrub flycatcher is found in South America in its natural habitats of subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Generation length is 3.6 years. They are found in more mesic habitats than those preferred by congeners.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
These birds are not globally threatened. Amazonian scrub flycatchers have an extremely large range and are categorized as Least Concern. Although they are rare and uncommon to find, they are found in La Selva Lodge, in Ecuador, Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone, in Peru, and Madidi National Park, in Bolivia.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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