Boat-billed Flycatcher
Megarynchus pitangua
Large striking flycatcher of tropical and subtropical forest and woodland; also in semi-open areas with taller trees. Perches mainly at mid-upper levels, often in the canopy. Fairly common in most areas, but uncommon and local in West Mexico. Told from widespread Great Kiskadee, which prefers more open and less wooded habitats, by dull olive upperparts (lacking the bright rusty wings and tail of kiskadee) and stouter bill, with a more strongly arched ridge along the top. The two species sound quite different.
Identification
Adult boat-billed flycatchers are one of the largest species of tyrant flycatcher, measuring 23 cm (9.1 in) long and weighing 70 g (2.5 oz). The head is black with a strong white eyestripe and a concealed yellow crown stripe. The upperparts are olive-brown, and the wings and tail are brown with only faint rufous fringes. The underparts are yellow and the throat is white.<p>The massive black bill, which gives this species its English and generic names, is the best distinction from the similar great kiskadee, which also has more rufous tail and wings, and lacks the olive tone to the upperparts. The call is a strident trilled nya, nya, nya.
Taxonomy
Genus: Megarynchus; Family: Tyrannidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Megarynchus pitangua
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1766)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Megarynchus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Swamp Harrier
Circus approximans
Long-legged medium-sized raptor with long narrow wings. Adult has varied plumage, but note diagnostic prominent white rump. Juvenile is darker below. Flies slowly and low over open habitats with wings held in shallow V shape. Breeds in reed-beds, and occurs mainly in swamps and wetlands.
Elliot's Woodpecker
Dendropicos elliotii
Distinctive large woodpecker with a green back and striped buffy or greenish underparts. The crown is black and red in males and all black in females. The plain face has an open look. Found in lowland and montane forest, where it is generally inconspicuous. Seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in mixed-species feeding flocks. The call is a repeated raspy “kre.”
Scaled Woodcreeper
Lepidocolaptes squamatus
Fairly small woodcreeper with a short, slightly curved pale pinkish bill. Found in a variety of habitats including humid forests, woodlands, and dry forests as well as semi-desert areas. Uniformly rufous upperparts contrast with a bold white eyebrow, white throat, and scaly underparts. Occasionally follows mixed-species flocks. Similar to Scalloped Woodcreeper, which has a darker crown and a more rufous tail.
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