Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher
Phainoptila melanoxantha
Plump fruit-eating bird with uncertain taxonomic affiliations. Shape, small bill, and plumage are distinctive. Male is mostly black above with yellow rump, dirty yellow chest and flanks, and gray belly. Female is olive above with gray head and contrasting black cap. Feeds on fruit in montane forests, usually singly or in pairs. Slow-moving, often sitting still. Limited range.
Identification
The black-and-yellow phainoptila is a small, rotund bird with distinctive yellow flanks. Males have a black back, head and tail, yellow flanks and rump, olive breasts and grey bellies. Females have a black cap, olive breast, rump, wings and tail, yellow flanks, and grey throat, nape, and belly. The young are similar to adult females, but are duller and with no grey on nape and dusky streaking on breast.
Taxonomy
Genus: Phainoptila; Family: Ptiliogonatidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Phainoptila melanoxantha
- Authority
- Salvin, 1877
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ptiliogonatidae
- Genus
- Phainoptila
Range and habitat
Black-and-yellow phainoptilas are found from Costa Rica to western Panama, in mountains from 1800 m (6000 ft.) to timberline, although they may wander lower after breeding season. They are also found in highland forests and adjacent second growth and gardens.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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