Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Myiarchus tuberculifer
Medium-sized flycatcher; rather small and slender for a Myiarchus. Extremely similar to other Myiarchus flycatchers and most easily identified by voice: listen for the plaintive, sad “wheer” call. Also note relatively dark crown, slender bill, fairly bright yellow belly, and rufous edges on secondaries. Some variation across range, but underside of tail usually quite dark, with little or no rufous. Widespread and common in Middle and South America, barely extending into the southwest U.S. Occurs in a variety of forested and semiopen habitats including oak-lined canyons, humid rainforest edges, and gardens.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myiarchus tuberculifer
- Authority
- (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Myiarchus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Eastern Miombo Sunbird
Cinnyris manoensis
A medium-sized typical ‘double-collared’ sunbird. Larger and longer-billed than similar-plumaged Western Miombo Sunbird (and ranges hardly overlap); Eastern Miombo male has broader red breast band, darker gray belly, and less prominent yellow wingpit tufts. Female and immature have a gray-brown head, pale gray throat, and pale lemon breast and belly. Singles and pairs are residents and nomads in Miombo woodland, gallery forest, arid savanna, and other woodland. Sings a slower, louder, less rambling song than Western Miombo Sunbird that does not end in a long descending trill.
Ashy-faced Owl
Tyto glaucops
A large nocturnal species that hunts over open habitats and roosts in wooded areas and manmade structures. Note this species’ ashen-gray face and buff underparts. The Barn Owl is very similar in size and shape, but it has a white face and is paler below. Calls are similar to those of Barn Owl and include a harsh, almost hissing, “shaaaaaa” and a rapid, insectlike clicking.
Lita Woodpecker
Piculus litae
Scarce, yellow-faced woodpecker of lowland and foothill rainforest in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Both sexes have olive upperparts, strongly barred or scaled underparts, and red wing patch. Male has red crown and mustache stripe; female has little or no red on head. No overlap with the similar White-throated Woodpecker. Forages at middle to upper levels of the forest, sometimes with mixed-species flocks. Call is a harsh scream.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.