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WHISKERED FLYCATCHERS
(4 species) Small, enigmatic New World assemblage formerly
subsumed within tyrant flycatchers, now variously treated as a separate family or merged with tityras
and allies. Ages/sexes similar overall; all have notably long rictal bristles, or ‘whiskers.’
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER Terenotriccus erythrurus 9–9.5cm. Tiny, rather
cute inhabitant of humid forest, adjacent taller second growth. Singles and pairs
perch in fairly open midstory and subcanopy, often on thin vines; sometimes
joins mixed flocks. Distinctive, with small size, cinnamon underparts, rusty
wings and tail. SOUNDS: Fairly quiet, high, 2-part whistle, 1st note lisping and
reedy, 2nd emphatic, pssii pit; less often simply speeu. STATUS: Uncommon to
fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1200m. (Mexico to S America.)
SULPHUR-RUMPED FLYCATCHER Myiobius sulphureipygius 11.5–12.5cm.
Attractive and active little bird of humid forest, adjacent shady second growth,
gallery forest. Usually at low to mid-levels in shady understory, often near
water; joins mixed feeding flocks. Fairly active, flitting with tail fanned and
wings drooped to show off bright yellow rump, which can ‘glow’ in shady
understory. Yellow crown patch usually concealed, reduced or absent on female
and juv. Cf. Black-tailed Flycatcher on s. Pacific slope. SOUNDS: Rather quiet.
Soft clipped tlik given on occasion. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon on
both slopes, locally to 1200m in south. (Mexico to w. Ecuador.)
BLACK-TAILED FLYCATCHER Myiobius atricaudus 11.5–12.5cm. Humid
lowland woodland, second growth, especially in low dense tangles along small
streams. Less of a forest bird than Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, but enters humid
forest in areas where Sulphur-rumped is absent. Habits much like Sulphur-
rumped, and the two species can be difficult to distinguish in shady understory.
Note dingy, dusky buff breast of Black-tailed (vs. rich cinnamon-buff of
Sulphur-rumped), slightly plainer, more olive-tinged head with narrow pale
eyering (vs. grayer face, richer brown neck of Sulphur-rumped). Black-tailed
often looks relatively small-headed and long-tailed, vs. more compact Sulphur-
rumped. Yellow crown patch usually concealed, reduced or absent on female and juv. SOUNDS: Rather
quiet. Slightly emphatic high tsik! is higher, less wet than Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher. STATUS: Uncommon
on s. Pacific slope, to 900m. (Costa Rica to S America.)
NORTHERN ROYAL FLYCATCHER Onychorhynchus mexicanus 16.5–18cm.
Humid lowland forest and taller second growth; gallery forest in drier nw.
lowlands. Singles or pairs range in mid-levels of shady understory, often near
streams. Long, scraggly nest structure hanging over streams or other openings
such as quiet roads can be a good clue to presence. Often active, sallying and
fluttering after prey in leafy foliage; joins mixed flocks. Distinctive, with
hammerhead crest, pale cinnamon rump and tail. Crest raised mainly in alarm,
very rarely seen spread unless birds are held in-hand; male crest fiery red, female
crest yellow-orange. Juv. upperparts and chest scalloped dusky, soon like adult.
SOUNDS: Slightly hollow, plaintive whee-uk, suggests a muffled Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Song a descending,
slowing series of (usually 5–8) plaintive whistles with short intro note, whi’ peeu, peeu.…STATUS: Uncommon
to fairly common on Pacific slope, to 900m; uncommon to rare on Caribbean slope, locally to 800m.
(Mexico to nw. Venezuela.)
