Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius)

Identification & Behavior: ~17 cm (6.8 in). The Variegated Flycatcher has gray-brown upperparts and yellowish underparts streaked and spotted with black. It has a brownish crown and a dusky mask through the eye bordered above by a pale superciliary and below by pale cheek stripe. The wing coverts and flight feathers are edged with whitish. The tail has rufous webbing and looks mostly rufous. The base of the lower mandible is pale. It forages the canopy and sub-canopy of the forest in Amazonia. It is distinguished from the smaller Piractic Flycatcher by a yellowish belly, rufous tail, and larger size. It is smaller and more slender than the Streaked Flycatcher.

Status: The Variegated Flycatcher is an uncommon and widespread Austral migrant in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 500 m along the foothill of the Andes. It is expected in Peru during the months of March through October. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Mosquero Variegado.

Sub-species: Variegated Flycatcher (Empidonomus varius varius), (Vieillot), 1818.

Meaning of Name: Empidonomus: Gr. empis, empidos= gnat, mosquito and nomos, nemo= feeding, to consume. varius: L. varius= various, diverse, variegated.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae