Streaked Flycatcher
Myiodynastes maculatus
Large, streaky flycatcher, summer migrant in northern part of its range. Favors forest and edge, plantations with tall trees; lives mainly at middle to upper levels in the canopy. Told from slightly smaller and slimmer Sulphur-bellied by paler throat, lack of thick blackish moustaches, lack of strong yellow wash on belly, and bigger bill with pale pinkish base below (can be matched by juvenile Sulphur-bellied).
Identification
The streaked flycatcher is 22 cm (8.7 in) long, weighs 43 g (1.5 oz) and has a strong black bill. The head is brown with a concealed yellow crown patch, white supercilium and dusky eye mask. The upperparts are brown with darker brown streaks on the back, rufous and white edges on the wings, and wide chestnut edges on the rump and tail. The underparts are yellowish-white streaked with brown.<p>Sexes are similar, but immature birds are brown where the adult is black. M. m. solitarius has black rather than brown streaking above and below. The streaked flycatcher is a conspicuous bird, with a noisy sqEEE-zip call.<p>It is very similar in appearance to the less widespread sulphur-bellied flycatcher. The streaked flycatcher has a heavier bill, lighter yellow belly, pink basal half of the lower mandible and creamy (not white) superciliary.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myiodynastes; Family: Tyrannidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myiodynastes maculatus
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Myiodynastes
Range and habitat
This species breeds from eastern Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago south to Bolivia and Argentina. The southern subspecies M. m. solitarius migrates to Venezuela and the Guianas from March to September during the austral winter. It is found at the edges of forests and cocoa plantations. Common across its wide range, this species is not considered threatened by the IUCN.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Synallaxis simoni
Typical spinetail with a long spiky tail, a grayish-brown head, bright cinnamon wings and tail, a white throat, and pale buffy underparts. Sexes similar. Limited range near the Araguaia River in Brazil, where it inhabits the understory of gallery forest. The song is a sharp “keeeu”, often repeated.
Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach
A large, noisy shrike typical of open habitats across Asia. Adults have a dark mask and a light gray upper back with a variable amount of orange on lower back and flanks. Eastern subspecies has complete black cap; melanistic form has more extensive dark mask and is darker overall. Smaller Bay-backed Shrike has thicker black mask; Gray-backed Shrike has darker gray back and lacks orange coloration and white in wings. Juveniles difficult to separate from other juvenile shrikes. Gives loud, screeching calls; also mimics other birds.
Yellow-eyed Junco
Junco phaeonotus
This distinctive sparrow is common in open montane woodland usually dominated by pine. Primarily a Mexican species, barely enters U.S. Much like Gray-headed and Red-backed subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco but with staring yellow eye and rufous back usually extending onto wings. Otherwise pale gray, darkest around the eye. Bill half black, half yellow. White outer tail feathers like Dark-eyed Junco. Forages on the ground, but perches higher when singing. Song has a similar ringing tone to Dark-eyed Junco, but usually with several distinct sections of chips and trills.
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