Piratic Flycatcher (leucophaius leucophaius)

Identification & Behavior: ~15 cm (6 in). The Piratic Flycatcher has gray upperparts and gray tail. It has a patterned head composed of a pale superciliary, a dark mask through the eye, and gray malar stripe. The throat is whitish but the breast and belly are streaked with dusky. The center of the belly is pale yellow. It forages in the canopy of forest edges, mature second growth, and semi-open clearings with interspersed trees and snags. It has a very distinctive voice. It is similar to the Variegated Flycatcher but is distinguished by having a black bill, gray tail, and a smaller size. Also, see the larger Streaked Flycatcher.

Status: The Piratic Flycatcher is fairly common and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1400 m along the east slope of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Mosquero Pirata.

Sub-species: Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius leucophaius), (Vieillot), 1818.

Meaning of Name: Legatus: L. lex, legis= law, rule, legare= to appoint, legatus= governor. leucophaius: Gr. leukos= white and phaios= dusky, leukophaios= whitish-grey, ash-colored.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae