From Opus

Contopus pertinax

Photo by Michael W
Photographed: Sawmill Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Arizona

[edit] Identification

Pale lower mandible is important for recognizing this bird but may not be easy to see or photograph.

[edit] Distribution

North America: Arizona
Central America: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

• C. p. pertinax (pallidiventris):

• South-western US to southern Mexico; winters to Belize and Guatemala

• C. p. minor:

• Highlands of Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and northern Nicaragua

[edit] Habitat

Desert Riparian zone and secondary woodland. Nests in conferous forests

[edit] Behaviour

Usually perches near treetops, flying out to catch insects.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Birdforum thread containing an instructive discussion on the color of the lower mandible of this species

[edit] External Links