Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

Taxobox
name = Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

---

status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Ptilogonatidae
genus = "Ptilogonys"
species = "P. caudatus "
binomial = "Ptilogonys caudatus"
binomial_authority = Cabanis, 1861

The Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, "Ptilogonys caudatus" is a passerine bird which occurs only in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama, usually from 1,850 m altitude to the timberline. It is a thrush-sized species weighing about 37 g. The silky-flycatchers are related to waxwings, and like that group have a soft silky plumage.

The habitat of this bird is mountain forests, where the breeding pair builds a neat cup of lichen 2-18 m high in a tree, sometimes in loose colonies. The female lays two brown and lilac-blotched grey eggs, which are incubated by both adults. The young fledge 18-25 days after hatching, and are fed by both parents.

The male Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher is 24 cm long and has a pale grey forehead. The rest of the crested head, neck, throat and lower belly are yellow. The back, lower breast and upper belly are blue-grey, and the flight feathers and long pointed tail are black. The outer tail feathers are spotted with white.

The female is 21 cm long and generally duller than the male, with a darker grey forehead, olive body plumage and a shorter, duller black tail. Immatures are similar to the adults, but the central tail feathers are shorter and the white spotting on the outer tail is indistinct.

This species forages in small flocks when not breeding, flycatching for insects or taking small fruits, especially mistletoe. Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers often perch prominently on high exposed twigs.

The call of the Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher is a repeated "chee-chip".

This species is a host to the biting louse "Brueelia ptiliogonis".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Stiles and Skutch, "A guide to the birds of Costa Rica" ISBN 0-8014-9600-4

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=6267&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/spec/spec130-3.html Image]
* [http://www.phthiraptera.org/Birds/Passeriformes/Bombycillidae.html Biting lice page]