Piratic Flycatcher
Legatus leucophaius
Found in tropical lowlands and foothills, migratory in northern part of its range. Favors forest edges, plantations, and clearings with tall trees. Named for its behavior of stealing already-built nests of oropendolas and becards. Usually seen as single birds high in the canopy, often perching on exposed branches and calling persistently: a penetrating whistled “swee-u,” repeated and alternated with “ji-ji-jit.” Combination of striped head, small bill, and blurry dark streaking below is distinctive.
Identification
The adult piratic flycatcher is 15 cm long and weighs 23 g. The upperparts are unstreaked plain brown, although the flight feathers have narrow white edges. The head has a long whitish supercilium, a concealed yellow crown stripe, and a dusky mask through the eyes. The throat is white, and there is a white malar stripe. The underparts are whitish with touches of light yellow, besides blurred brownish streaking on the breast and flanks. The dark bill is short and broad.<p>The call is an upslurred weeEEE given from a high perch for long periods of the day, or sometimes a monotonous weep weep weep.<p>Piratic flycatchers wait on an exposed perch high in a tree, occasionally sallying out to feed on fruit (such as berries), their staple diet, as well as the catkins of Cecropia and insects (such as dragonflies). The young are fed on insects.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Legatus leucophaius
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1818)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Legatus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Leistes loyca
Handsome and eye-catching bird that is fairly common in grassland, steppe, matorral, farmland, and even town parks with grassy areas. Feeds mainly on the ground, at times in small groups, but male sings from prominent perches and in flight. Male has a bright red breast, long pointed bill, and white eyebrow. Female has much less red below, but note size and shape, and pale eyebrow. No similar species in its Chilean range, but in Argentina compare with Pampas Meadowlark.
Gray Vireo
Vireo vicinior
One of North America's most nondescript birds: pale gray above, lighter whitish below, with a hint of pale spectacles and wingbars. Long-tailed for a vireo, but with a typically thick bill. Occurs on dry rocky slopes with patches of dense brush and trees, especially oaks and junipers. Usually seen singly or in pairs, often detected by voice. Most similar to drab Bell's Vireo but note habitat and size differences. Also compare with Plumbeous Vireo, which is shorter-tailed and more boldly marked.
Banasura Laughingthrush
Montecincla jerdoni
This is the only montane laughingthrush in its range and hence unmistakable. It is dull brown above, with gray breast and head and a pale rufous belly. It has a black chin connecting to a black eye-line and a prominent white eyebrow. Inhabits stunted montane forests, where it is seen in pairs or noisy flocks, producing a melodious “pee-kooo” song and several other chatters intermingled with musical notes. Heard more often than seen; its songs and calls are usually the first indication of its presence.
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