- Pyrocephalus rubinus
Description
L. 14 cm (5½ in).
Strongly sexually dimorphic. Male is unmistakable.
Male: *Bright red underparts and cap *Dark brownish wings, tail and mask
Female: *Dull brownish or greyish upperparts *Dark streaked whitish underparts
- Some species have pinkish or yellow flanks and/or crissum
Immature: Resembles female
Subspecies: Females from Galápagos have virtually unstreaked, yellow underparts.
Both sexes of race obscurus (from coastal Peru) also occur in a uniformly dark brown morph.
Similar Species: Females and immatures are potentially confusing, but can be separated from most other superficially similar species (e.g. Bran-colored Flycatcher) by the faint or complete lack of wing-bars.
Distribution
It is widespread and generally common in most of central and northern South America, Central America, Mexico and southwestern United States. Typically resident, but a large proportion of the population from the southernmost part of its range migrate north to spend the Austral winter in central South America. Additionally, most of the population in USA migrate south to spend the winter in Central America.
Taxonomy
Numerous subspecies are known. It has been suggested that the two Galápagos races, nanus and dubius, should be considered one or two separate species.
Habitat
Occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats, incl. savanna, forest-edge, woodland, scrub, areas with scattered trees. Also in rural zones and city parks or gardens.
Behaviour
Diet: Feeds on small insects and spiders. It perches on an open branch, waiting for the prey. After locating it, the flycatcher pursues and capture it in flight.
Breeding: The courtship display of the male involves singing, raising its crest, fluffing its breast-feathers, and, sometimes, delivering a butterfly or showy insect to the female to initiate copulation.
Breeding is seasonal, but timing varies depending on region. The nest is an open cup loosely constructed by moss, grass, twigs and spiderwebs. The 2-3 eggs are incubated entirely by the female, but both sexes feed the chicks.
