Stolid Flycatcher

Myiarchus stolidus

A woodland species typically found at lower elevation and in scrub and mangroves; hunts from within woods, but also on exposed perches. The similar Sad Flycatcher is smaller, smaller billed, lacks rust on the primaries, and has weak or no wingbars. The similar Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is larger, darker on the head and chest, has a heftier bill and bright rufous on tail. The dawn song is “weeeee-pitit-wee,” with first and last syllables rising and then falling. Calls include a whistled rising-and-then-falling “weee-ee,” an emphatic twittering “prrree,” and a sputtering “peet-it,” among other quick twittering calls.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Myiarchus stolidus
Authority
(Gosse, 1847)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Myiarchus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Psittacula krameri

Vibrantly bright green parakeet, frequently found in woodland, parks, and gardens, where it feeds mainly in trees. Nests in cavities, including holes in buildings. Easily overlooked if quiet, as the bright green plumage blends easily with foliage. Note the very long slender tail and bright red bill; male has narrow black-and-pink neck ring. Closely resembles the larger Alexandrine Parakeet, which has a wine-red patch on each shoulder. Like other parakeets, raucous and social, often appearing in noisy groups giving sharp screeching calls. Native to Africa and South Asia, introduced locally around the world, from Europe and the Caribbean to Japan and Hawaii.

Rufous-chested Tanager

Rufous-chested Tanager

Thlypopsis ornata

Small warblerlike tanager. Note orange head, breast, and flanks, gray-brown back, and white belly. Sexes similar. Found in montane woodland, edges, and shrubby areas in the Andes from Colombia to Peru from around 1,800–3,200 m. Usually seen in pairs, which forage in the middle levels, often with mixed-species flocks. Compare with Brown-flanked Tanager in Peru, which has duller brown flanks that contrast with orange head and breast.

Spot-fronted Swift

Spot-fronted Swift

Cypseloides cherriei

Little-known swift found mostly in mountainous areas, though flocks occasionally venture into lowlands. All dark with short square tail and angular wings. Namesake white spots on forehead and behind eyes are distinctive, but these can be extremely difficult to see. Many swifts are best left unidentified. Sex and age variation not well known; some birds, maybe juveniles, can show whitish scaling on belly. Occasionally seen singly or mixed with flocks of other swifts, but most often in monotypic flocks of up to several dozen individuals. Voice can be helpful with practice; typically a staccato chatter followed by “pew pew pew” notes like a laser gun.

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