From Opus

Contopus cinereus

Photo by Robert Scanlon
Photo taken: Santa Marta, Colombia.

[edit] Identification

14 cm. Dark brown upperparts, black crown, two white wing bars, white throat and centre of the breast, pale yellow belly, grey brown sides of the flanks and breast, short bill with a black upper mandible and orange lower mandible. Sexes are similar.

[edit] Distribution

Southern Mexico and Trinidad south to Bolivia and Argentina.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Edges of forests and cultivated areas with tall trees.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a small open saucer nest of fibre and grasses, lined with grass and decorated with lichen on its exterior. Two creamy-white eggs marked with red-brown spots are laid, are incubated by the female for 15-16 days.

The diet includes insects.

[edit] External Links