From Opus

Photo by Patrick O’Donnell<
from Virgen del Socorro, Costa Rica

Alternative name: Northern Tufted Flycatcher

Mitrephanes phaeocercus

[edit] Identification

12 cm. Olive green upperparts and pointed crest, black tail and wings, two buff wing bars and buff edging to the secondary feathers, ochre-orange breast shading to bright yellow on the belly. Sexes are similar. Young birds have brownish upperparts with buff fringing, orange wing bars and paler underparts.

[edit] Distribution

Northwestern Mexico to northwestern Ecuador.

[edit] Taxonomy

Has been considered conspecific with Olive Flycatcher.

[edit] Habitat

Mature mountain forest and tall second growth, especially at edges and clearings with trees.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a saucer nest of moss, liverworts and lichens high on a branch or vine, usually concealed among ferns, bromeliads and other epiphytes. 2 brown-blotched white eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 15-16 days.

The diet includes insects.

Frequently calls and can accompany mixed flocks. Vocalizations differ north and south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and possibly elsewhere.

[edit] External Links