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TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (TYRANNIDAE; 77+ SPECIES) Large, diverse, and

taxonomically vexed New World assemblage of insectivorous and frugivorous birds, ranging from

tiny tyrannulets to large and conspicuous kingbirds; also see whiskered flycatchers (p. 290). Ages

usually differ slightly, sexes similar; like adult within 1st year. Many species visually similar, and

voice often very important for ID, as is an appreciation of genus characters. Most forest species

best detected by voice and can seem rare or even absent until vocalizations are learned.

GRAY-HEADED PIPRITES (MANAKIN)  Piprites griseiceps 11–12cm. Enig­

matic small bird of humid lower foothill forest; once considered a manakin,

now usually treated as a tyrant flycatcher. Typically found as singles at mid–

upper levels in shady understory and subcanopy; joins mixed flocks of antwrens,

greenlets, flycatchers, tanagers. Sings from subcanopy, where can be hard to

spot. No truly similar species: note upright pose, striking white eyering on gray

head giving big-eyed look, contrasting pale lemon tertial edges, yellowish

underparts. Imm. has head tinged olive. SOUNDS: Song a variably jerky or

initially hesitant series of mellow, overslurred whip notes run into a short stutter

and ending with an emphatic note, 1.5–3 secs: wip, wip wi-wi-wip wirr-rr-rrip whuip! and variations. Up

to a min or so between songs, or songs follow on rapidly when excited. STATUS: Scarce to uncommon and

local on Caribbean slope, 100–1000m. (Guatemala to nw. Panama.)

SPADEBILLS (GENUS PLATYRINCHUS) (3 species). Very small, compact, short-tailed forest

flycatchers with big eyes, strong face patterns, and broad flat bills. Easily overlooked if not vocal. Found

as singles or loose pairs in shady understory, where often sit still for long periods then make a short sally

to pluck food from underside of leaf or twig and move to new perch, often leading an observer to spot

the empty moving twig of the former perch and still not see the bird!

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL  Platyrinchus coronatus 8.5–9.5cm. Humid

forest, adjacent taller second growth. See genus note. Sometimes flicks wings

open on alighting and when calling. Note strikingly patterned pale yellowish face

with blank lores, orange crown stripe; cf. White-throated Spadebill, mainly at

higher elevations. SOUNDS: Varied, high sibilant to rapid ticking trills, 0.5–2.5

secs, easily passed off as an insect, ssssiirrrr, and variations; shorter trills often

descending overall, longer versions often descend then rise, sometimes with a

quiet introductory tsi. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common, to 1200m on

Pacific slope, to 700m on Caribbean slope. (Honduras to S America.)

STUB-TAILED SPADEBILL  Platyrinchus cancrominus 9–10cm. Humid forest,

including gallery forest. See genus note. Distinctive in most of range, but

limited overlap at mid-elevations in n. Pacific foothills with White-throated

Spadebill, which is slightly larger, darker, and colder-toned, with dark mandible

tipped pale; easily told by voice. Male has yellow crown patch, usually con­

cealed. SOUNDS: Slightly descending, high, abrupt nasal or squeaky ki-di-dik

and kidik, repeated irregularly. Dawn song an excited, rolled nasal trill alternated

with sharp nasal chips. STATUS:  Uncommon and local in nw. lowlands, to

1300m. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

*WESTERN WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL  Platyrinchus [mystaceus]

albogularis 9.5–10.5cm. Humid foothill and highland forest, adjacent taller

second growth. See genus note. Distinctive in most of range, but limited over­

lap at mid-elevations in n. Pacific foothills with Stub-tailed Spadebill, which is

slightly smaller, paler, and warmer-toned, with mostly pale pinkish mandible;

easily told by voice. Male has yellow crown patch (more extensive than Stub-

tailed), usually concealed. SOUNDS: Sharply overslurred, slightly emphatic piik!

or whiík! occasionally doubled; recalls a small woodpecker, such as Smoky-

brown. Dawn song a rippling, high nasal trill, 1–1.5 secs, typically an ascending

crescendo ending with an abrupt eek! Also varied rising and falling trills, slowing slightly and fading at the

end; lower and harsher than trills of Golden-crowned Spadebill. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon

on both slopes, 700–2100m. (Costa Rica to w. S America.)