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GENUS MYIOZETETES

(4 species). Medium-size, kiskadee-like flycatchers of scrubby and

second-growth habitats; build bulky domed nests of grasses, other vegetation. Appreciably smaller than

Great Kiskadee, with small bills. Plumage often similar among species, and ID easiest by voice. Also note

head pattern, prominence of pale wingbars, extent of rusty edgings on wings (varies with age).

*NORTHERN SOCIAL FLYCATCHER  Myiozetetes [similis] texensis 17–18cm.

Conspicuous, often noisy, in varied edge and semi-open habitats, second

growth, plantations, gardens; often near water. In pairs or small groups (‘social’)

on wires, at fruiting trees with kiskadees, other larger flycatchers. On s. Pacific

slope cf. Colombian Social Flycatcher, Rusty-margined Flycatcher; ID often

best made by voice. Also cf. larger Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher. Flame

crown patch of adult often concealed. Juv. has cinnamon wing and tail edgings,

lacks crown patch. SOUNDS:  Downslurred, slightly piercing tseéyh; at times

followed by shrieky series that can suggest parakeets, seéya tortéeya tortéeya...;

other varied burry calls and bickering chatters. Dawn song a varied alternation

of downslurred whistles and short burry phrases, tséu, tséu chirríeu..., on and on.

STATUS: Common to fairly common on both slopes, locally to 2100m, rarely

higher. (Mexico to w. Panama.)

*COLOMBIAN SOCIAL FLYCATCHER  Myiozetetes [similis] columbianus 16–

17cm. Replaces Northern Social Flycatcher on s. Pacific slope; best identified by

voice. Also averages more-distinct wingbars, slightly paler grayish crown than

slightly larger Northern Social. Rusty-margined Flycatcher most easily separated

by voice, has duller wings with rusty edgings to primaries (beware, juv. social

flycatchers also have rusty wing edgings), blacker crown. Also cf. larger Great

Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher. Flame crown patch of adult often concealed.

Juv. has cinnamon wing and tail edgings. SOUNDS: Overslurred, slightly piercing

chréeu or tcheéu, burrier and quicker-paced than Northern Social; other varied

burry calls and bickering chatters. Dawn song appears to be varied repetition of calls alternated with rapid,

gruff burry chatters, chréeu, cheu, chí-chírri-chi.…STATUS: Common to fairly common on s. Pacific slope,

but details of distribution vs. Northern Social Flycatcher await elucidation. (Costa Rica to nw. S America.)

RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER  Myiozetetes cayanensis 15.5–16.5cm.

Second growth, semi-open lowland areas with scattered trees, scrub, plantations,

often alongside social flycatchers. Best told from social flycatchers by voice; also

note blacker crown sides (yellow, not flame-colored, crown patch of adult

usually concealed), browner upperparts, rusty edgings to primaries (but. juv.

and perhaps some 1st-year social flycatchers have rusty wing edgings). Also

cf. larger Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher. Juv. has cinnamon wing and

tail edgings, lacks crown patch. SOUNDS: Common call a plaintive screaming

whistle, typically overslurred to slightly descending, peeeéeu, suggesting Dusky-

capped Flycatcher but more drawn-out; vaguely hawk-like, and very different from social flycatchers.

Variably pulsating series of downslurred, slightly nasal squeaky whistles tchieh-tchieh..., up to 5 secs or

longer, 5–6 notes/sec, at times preceded by upslurred scream, wheeeih chieh-chieh.…STATUS: Uncommon

locally on s. Pacific slope, to 200m; first reported Costa Rica in 2004. (Costa Rica to S America.)

GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER  Myiozetetes granadensis 15–16.5cm. Second

growth and semi-open areas with scattered trees and forest patches, forest edge,

plantations; often near water. Typically conspicuous, in pairs or small groups

feeding low to high on insects, fruit. Distinctive, with overall gray head lacking

bold stripes; flame crown patch of adult often concealed. Juv. has cinnamon

wing and tail edgings, duller crown. SOUNDS: Sharply overslurred nasal bík or

bek! suggesting Western Kingbird; sharp, overslurred nasal kyew, at times in

short series; short burry chatters. Dawn song 2–3 calls run into a short sneezy

phrase, vaguely kiskadee-like, repeated steadily about every 1–3 secs, bik, bik,

bíchi-biehrr.…STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes to 1000m, in smaller numbers locally

to 1700m. (Honduras to S America.)

species uncertain