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BLACK-CAPPED FLYCATCHER  Empidonax atriceps 11.5–12cm. Small,

perky, rather dark resident empid of highland oak forest, adjacent shrubby

clearings, pastures, second growth. See genus note (p. 308). Forages from low

shrubs to high in canopy, often on exposed perches and can be confiding; sallies

for insects. Distinctive for an empid, overall dark with darker crown, contrasting

whitish eyering, dull pale wingbars. Juv. has buffier wingbars. SOUNDS: Sharp,

clipped, slightly liquid pik. Dawn song a progression of clipped, semi-metallic,

short rolled phrases, such as pridiree didi-ree pidiree pipipirree..., repeated

steadily, 1 phrase/1–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common in Central and Talamanca

Mts., mainly 1900–3300m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

*SOUTHERN YELLOWISH FLYCATCHER  Empidonax flavescens 12–13cm.

Resident empid of humid highland and foothill forest and edge. See genus note

(p. 308). Mostly low to high in shady understory; sallies for insects and plucks

from foliage. Relatively distinctive, best told from migrant Yellow-bellied and

Acadian Flycatchers by strongly contrasting, pale teardrop-shaped eyering,

peaked hindcrown; also note ochre breast, dull buffy-olive wingbars. Juv washed

browner overall. SOUNDS: High, slightly lisping, underslurred tssi and upslurred

seéin. Song a measured 3-part chant, repeated steadily at dawn, ssi sii ch’li, about

2 secs; 1st 2 notes high and lisping, 3rd lower, slightly clipped. STATUS: Fairly

common to common, mainly 1200–2500m on Pacific slope, 700–2100m on Caribbean slope. (Costa

Rica to w. Panama.)

TORRENT TYRANNULET  Serpophaga cinerea 9.5–10.5cm. Distinctive tiny

flycatcher of rushing streams and rivers, where pairs hold territories year-round;

ranges to nearby wet roads and pastures. Perches mainly on rocks in and beside

rushing water, often loosely flipping its tail; less often in adjacent vegetation.

Sallies for insects. Male averages blacker head, with concealed white crown

patch; female has sootier head, crown patch reduced or lacking. Juv. duller

overall, washed brownish, with buffy wingbars. SOUNDS: High, sharp, overslurred

psíp, at times run into excited rapid chipping series. Song a high sharp ti-siíp,

every 2–6 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, mainly 600–2000m on

Pacific slope, 300–1800m on Caribbean slope. (Costa Rica to S America.)

LONG-TAILED TYRANT  Colonia colonus 12.5–13.5cm, + 8–12cm tail

streamers. Distinctive flycatcher of humid lowland forest and edge, adjacent

open areas and clearings with tall bare trees, plantations. Pairs and singles perch

conspicuously atop trees and on bare branches, sallying for insects. No similar

species in Costa Rica. Female averages paler belly, duskier crown and back stripe

than male. SOUNDS: High upslurred pweet; stronger, upslurred, and abruptly

ending pweeíh? Song one or more rising whistles run into descending rolled

chipper, wheee p-p-peu. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on Caribbean

slope, to 1000m. (Honduras to S America.)

*BLACK PHOEBE  Sayornis nigricans 15–16cm. Distinctive, medium-size fly­

catcher of foothills and highlands, usually near water, especially rocky rivers and

streams, around bridges, buildings; also towns, villages. Singles or pairs perch

on rocks in streams, sallying out for insects; often sings in fairly high fluttering

flight. Note size, habits, tail-flicking; white belly can be hard to see. Juv. has

duller plumage, cinnamon wingbars. SOUNDS: High, sharp, downslurred siik!

Song high, short piping phrases repeated and alternated si-ii, s-si-sii, si-ii, s-si-

sii…every 1–2 secs, from perch or in high fluttering flight. STATUS:  Fairly

common on both slopes, mainly 600–2000m; post-breeding birds wander

lower. (Mexico and w. US to S America.)