Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher - BirdForum Opus

Ptiliogonys caudatus

Male. Photo by Scottishdude
Location: Savegre , Costa Rica, March, 2011

Identification

24cm. Prominent crest and long tail are diagnostic. Silky plumage. Pale grey forehead, yellow head, neck, throat and lower belly, blue-grey back, lower breast and upper belly, black flight feathers and tail. Female generally duller than male, with a darker grey forehead, olive body plumage and a shorter, duller black tail.

Distribution

Endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama from 1600m to timberline.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1]

Habitat

Mountain forests, edges and clearings with high trees.

Photo of female by Stanley Jones
San José Province, Costa Rica, March, 2007

Behaviour

Its nest is a cup of lichen; 2 brown and lilac-blotched grey eggs are laid, and incubated by both adults. The young fledge 18-25 days after hatching, and are fed by both parents.

Diet includes insects and small fruits, especially mistletoe.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Long-tailed_Silky-flycatcher

External Links

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