Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
Myiarchus validus
A medium-sized woodland species that prefers moist forests where it typically “flycatches” from perches in thick foliage beneath the canopy. Note its bright rusty tail and the extensive rust on its wings. The Sad Flycatcher is much smaller-bodied and smaller-billed and lacks the rusty tail and wings. The similar Stolid Flycatcher is also smaller-billed and smaller-bodied with more limited rust on tail and wings. Rufous-tailed Flycatcher has a darker gray head and chest than either Sad or Stolid Flycatchers. Vocalizations include a slightly squeaky, emphatic “or-will,” a whistled “pi-pi-pi-pi-pee-pee-pee-pee,” and a harsh squeaky “pew” given in series, plus brief emphatic twitters.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myiarchus validus
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1847
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Myiarchus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-and-cinnamon Fantail
Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea
A fairly small, long-tailed bird of montane forest on Mindanao. Rufous above with darker wings, a tail frequently held cocked and fanned, pale orange underparts, a black hood, and a broad white eyebrow. Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Bundok Flycatcher and Eyebrowed Thrush both have orange chest, a black head, and a white brow, but Black-and-cinnamon Fantail is larger than the flycatcher and smaller than the thrush, with a totally different shape and habits. Voice includes a sharp “gyuk!” or grating chatter.
Scrub Tanager
Stilpnia vitriolina
This Andean species is fairly common in dry open habitats in Colombia and Ecuador. Look for an overall pale gray-blue bird with brighter turquoise wings, a black mask, and an orange cap. Sexes alike. Most similar to Burnished-buff Tanager but no range overlap. Typically seen in pairs or small flocks moving through shrubby woodlands, second growth, and gardens.
Black-polled Yellowthroat
Geothlypis speciosa
Very local but fairly common in highland marshes of central Mexico; endemic. Favors extensive reed beds bordering lakes and adjacent bushes near water. Male is distinctive, with black mask blending into dark greenish upperparts (lacks pale border to mask of Common Yellowthroat, which occurs in same areas); also note extensively yellow underparts and dark legs. Female is darker overall than female Common Yellowthroat, with dark (not pinkish) legs. Voice subtly distinctive.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.