Lesser Kiskadee (Pitangus lictor)

Identification & Behavior: ~17.5 cm (6.8 in). The Lesser Kiskadee has brown upperparts with the primary flight feathers and tail feathers thinly edged with rusty. It has a black crown and sides of the head with a broad white superciliary. The throat is white. The bill is thin, black, and somewhat long. The underparts are bright yellow. It forages exclusively at the borders of bodies of water where often hunts from perches sticking out of the water. It is very similar to the Great Kiskadee but is distinguished by a smaller size, thin and longish bill, by being restricted to water or near water habitats, and by different vocalization. Also, see Social Flycatcher.

Status: The Lesser Kiskadee is common and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 750 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Bienteveo Menor.

Sub-species: Lesser Kiskadee (Pitangus lictor lictor) (M. H. C. Lichtenstein), 1823.

Meaning of Name: Pitangus: Tupí name Pitanguá guacú for a large flycatcher, perhaps the Great Kiskadee. lictor: L. lictor, lictoris, lector= magistrate’s attendant who bore the rods of office and carried out sentences and executions.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae