Slaty-capped flycatcher

The slaty-capped flycatcher (Leptopogon superciliaris) is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in northern Bolivia to Costa Rica and in Trinidad.

Slaty-capped flycatcher
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Leptopogon
Species:
L. superciliaris
Binomial name
Leptopogon superciliaris
Tschudi, 1844

Description edit

The adult slaty-capped flycatcher is 12.5 cm (4.9 in) long and weighs 12 g (0.42 oz). The head has a dark grey crown, grey and white face, grey supercilium, and black crescent-shaped ear patch. The upperparts are olive-green and the dusky wings have two yellowish wing bars. The throat is whitish and the breast is greenish yellow shading to yellow on the belly. The long heavy bill is black above and pink-based below. Sexes are similar, but young birds have a more olive crown, weaker face pattern, orange wing bars and paler underparts. They have a sharp switch-choo call.[2]

Distribution and habitat edit

It breeds from Costa Rica through Colombia and northern Venezuela to northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. It also occurs on Trinidad. This species is found in forests and woodland edges.[2]

Behaviour edit

Slaty-capped flycatcher are seen alone or in pairs, perched in the open or catching insects in flight or from foliage. They also frequently eat berries.[2]

The nest is a ball lined with fine plant fibres, with a side entrance. It is suspended by a tendril or root and built in a heavily shaded area, such as a rock cleft or under hanging vegetation at the top of a bank. The typical clutch is two white eggs.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Leptopogon superciliaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103680303A112283376. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103680303A112283376.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Stiles, F. Gary; Skutch, Alexander F. (1989). A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University. pp. 339–340. ISBN 978-0-8014-9600-4.
  • ffrench, Richard (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago (2nd ed.). Comstock Publishing. ISBN 0-8014-9792-2.
  • Hilty, Steven L (2003). Birds of Venezuela. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-6418-5.

Further reading edit

  • Skutch, Alexander F. (1967). "Slaty-capped flycatcher". Life Histories of Central American Highland Birds. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club: Number 7. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Nuttall Ornithological Club. pp. 99–102.