From Opus

Photo by HelenB
Savegre Lodge, Costa Rica, February 2007

Empidonax atriceps

[edit] Identification

Length: 11.5cm (4.5in); weight: 9g
Sooty-black head with short crest, broad white eye ring, broken at top and forming point behind the eye; bill black above with orangish lower mandible; throat, neck, breast light olive-brown, sometimes looking grayish; belly is buff-yellow; tail and wings are blackish, with 2 pale brown wing-bars; legs black.

The sexes are similar

juveniles have a browner head with more buffy, paler wing-bars.

[edit] Distribution

Costa Rica and W. Panama.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

High mountain forests, particularly oak, above 1850m (6000ft). Also forest edges and patures with scattered trees.

[edit] Behaviour

Flycatches like a pewee, hawking insects usually returning to the same open perch. Vibrates or flicks tail on landing. Often appears tame and approachable. Is solitary after the breeding season

[edit] Diet

Flies, moths and beetles

[edit] External Links