- Myiarchus ferox
Identification
18cm (7 in). A larger, dark-tailed and slightly crested Myiarchus Flycatcher.
- Dark olive brown above
- Moderately deep yellow belly
- Black bill
- Two dull grey wing-bars and pale grey edging to the wing feathers
Similar species
Swainson's Flycatcher has a light pinkish brown lower or (according to subspecies) upper mandible.
Distribution
Found in tropical South America, mainly in the Amazon Basin.
Fairly common to common.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized[1]:
- M.f. brunnescens in southwest Venezuela and extreme north-east Colombia
- M.f. ferox in the Amazon Basin (Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Brazil
- M.f. australis from southeast Bolivia to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay and possibly also Uruguay
Panama Flycatcher and Venezuelan Flycatcher were formerly included as subspecies in this species.
Habitat
Edges and borders of forest and woodland.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects and fruits.
Usually seen singly or in pairs. Often leans forward while perched, raises the crest and bobs the head.
Breeding
The nest is placed in a tree cavity. Lays 2 eggs. Probably parasitized by Shiny Cowbird.
Movements
A sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2004. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 9: Cotingas to Pipits and Wagtails. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334696
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Short-crested Flycatcher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 February 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Short-crested_Flycatcher
