Puerto Rican Flycatcher

Photo by Janine 13
Location: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Myiarchus antillarum

Identification

18.5 -20 cm This bird has dark brown upperparts and head, and reasonably strong wing-bars. Its underside is light grey brown, becoming lighter, and with a light yellow wash towards the rear. (Notice that this description is at odds with some of what the Raffaele Guide to Bird of the West Indies writes, but in agreement with some pictures and the discussion mentioned below under "External Links").

The only other Myiarchus flycatcher that occur in Puerto Rico with some regularity is Great Crested Flycatcher which shows a strong contrast between breast and belly.

Distribution

This monotypic species is found in Puerto Rico with surrounding smaller islands and in the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. However, it has become less common in the Virgin Islands due to habitat loss.

Taxonomy

This species was at one time thought to belong together with other Caribbean Myiarchus species in the grouping of "Stolid Flycatcher", which now only is used for the forms on Jamaica and Hispaniola.

Habitat

Forested areas, coffee plantations, mangroves etc from sea level but excluding the highest areas.

Behaviour

The local name for this endemic bird is "Jui" because that is what they sound like.

External Links

Search for photos of Puerto Rican Flycatcher in the gallery

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A thread that among other Puerto Rican birds discuss this species can be found here