Vermilion Flycatcher

Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Male, Jalisco, México
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Pyrocephalus
Gould, 1839
Species: P. rubinus
Binomial name
Pyrocephalus rubinus
(Boddaert, 1783)

The Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, is a small passerine bird in the Tyrannidae, or tyrant flycatcher family. Most flycatchers are rather drab, but the Vermilion Flycatcher is a striking exception. It is a favourite with birders, but is not generally kept in aviculture, as the males tend to lose their bright red colouration when in captivity.

Contents

Distribution and habitat

It can be found in the southwestern United States, Central America, and northern and central South America, and southwards to central Argentina; also in the Galapagos Islands. The form inhabiting the Galapagos (P. r. nanus) is sometimes split as Pyrocephalus nanus, Darwin's Flycatcher or the Galapagos Flycatcher.

Description

Harlingen, Texas
Female on nest

The species grows to about seven inches in length, and is strongly dimorphic; males are bright red, with dark brown plumage. Females have a peach-coloured belly with a dark grey upperside, and are similar to Say's Phoebe.

Behaviour

Feeding

The flycatchers feed mostly on insects such as flies, grasshoppers and beetles. These are usually taken in mid-air, after a short sally flight from a perch.[1]

Breeding

They lay 2-3 whitish eggs in a nest made of twigs, stems and roots, and lined with hair. The eggs are incubated for around two weeks by the female and the young are ready to leave the nest after 15 days of hatching.

Footnotes

  1. ^ de A. Gabriel & Pizo (2005)

References

  • BirdLife International (2004). Pyrocephalus rubinus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 12 May 2006.
  • de A. Gabriel, Vagner & Pizo, Marco A. (2005): Foraging behavior of tyrant flycatchers (Aves, Tyrannidae) in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22(4): 1072–1077. doi:10.1590/S0101-81752005000400036 PDF fulltext
  • Wildlife Fact File (WFF) (1996): Vermilion Flycatcher. Group 2 (Birds).[verification needed] IMP BV/IMP INC.

External links


Stub icon This article about a tyrant flycatcher is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.