Birds of Colombia

    PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura)  
Genus: Myiarchus (9 species, 22 worldwide)


Apical Flycatcher
Apical Flycatcher (Myiarchus apicalis) ENDEMIC
Buga, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Often in pairs. Found in Cauca and Magdalena lowlands, and generally the only genus myiarchus flycatcher in its range. Apical refers to the last common ancestor of an entire group, such as a species (biology) or a clan (anthropology) (Wikipedia).

Pale-edged Flycatcher
Pale-edged Flycatcher (Myiarchus cephalotes cephalotes)
San Sebastian Reserve, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Generally found at higher altitudes (over 1200m and up to 3000m) than other similar myiarchus.

Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Lake Marian, Florida,  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Utica, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Northern migrant. A tiny bit larger than other myiarchus flycatchers, with a usually lowered brown crest that contrasts the grey face.

Short-crested Flycatcher
Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox australis)
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Most common myiarchus in Amazon.

Panama Flycatcher
Panama Flycatcher (Myiarchus panamensis panamensis)
ProAves Blue-billed Curassow Reserve, Puerto Pinzon, Boyaca, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

More greyish overall than other myiarchus. Seen more at forest edges and degraded forest than the forest-based Dusky-capped Flycatcher.

Swainson's Flycatcher
Swainson's Flycatcher (Myiarchus swainsoni)
Brazilia, DF, Brazil  
   
Photograph by Rodrigo Conte   © All Rights Reserved.

Swainson's Flycatcher
Swainson's Flycatcher (Myiarchus swainsoni)
Pousada Rio Claro, Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil  
   
Photograph by Bernie DUPONT     Copyright and usage info

Austral migrant. Very similar to the Short-crested Flycatcher. Note light base to lower mandible and pale front.


Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
ProAves Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve, Anorí, Antioquia, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
Cocorná, Antioquia, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Dusky cap darker than others in genus. Widespread and sometimes common, in lowlands up to midranges (1500m) in the Andes. Note distinctive 'wheeew' call, and usually found inside the forest or at the edge.
Individual with a slightly less dusky cap.

Brown-crested Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
Los Flamencos Wildlife Sanctuary, Camarones, La Guajira, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Note rufous tail. Large and vocal and more conspicuous than others in genus.

Venezuelan Flycatcher
Venezuelan Flycatcher (Myiarchus venezuelensis)
Los Flamencos Wildlife Sanctuary, Camarones, La Guajira, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Manakin Nature Tours - Luis Urueña   © All Rights Reserved.

Compared to Brown-crested Flycatcher, a bit smaller, crest less brown, and back of tail brown, not rufous. Often solitary, and much calmer than Brown-crested.


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