Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus Scientific name definitions

This species, also known as the Common Tufted Flycatcher, is by far the more abundant and easily seen of the two species of Mitrephanes flycatchers. Its range encompasses much of the Pacific slope of Middle America, from northwest Mexico south to Panama, and thereafter in South America south to northwest Ecuador. Four subspecies are recognized and these differ chiefly in overall coloration, with M. p. berlepschi of eastern Panama to Ecuador easily the most distinctive, on account of its olive breast and yellow belly, as opposed to the principally cinnamon underparts in the other subspecies. The Tufted Flycatcher is found in a variety of forested habitats, including pine woodland, and is known to at least 3500 m. It draws the observer’s attention through the species’ habit of perching bolt upright on an exposed branch, periodically making sallying flights to seize a passing insect.