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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Perching Birds (Order Passeriformes)

-Tyrant Flycatchers (Family Tyrannidae)

-Myiozetetes Flycatchers (Genus Myiozetetes)

-Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)


The Social Flycatcher is a common species with a wide geographic range from Mexico, through Central America, and into much of northern South America. It is medium sized with brown upperparts and tail, a short, decurved bill, bold black and white striped head, and yellow underparts that run from the white throat to the undertail coverts. Most often feeds on insects, fruits, and berries. They have also on occasion been found to feed on small vertebrates such as small frogs and tadpoles.

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Diet

  • Primarily insects, including flies, beetles, bees, wasps, ants, termites, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and caterpillars.

  • Also feeds on small fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar.

  • Captures insects by making short aerial sallies from exposed perches and by gleaning prey from foliage.

Range

  • Found from northeastern Mexico through Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America to northern Argentina.

  • In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf slopes, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a common year-round resident.

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, woodland edges, riparian forests, mangroves, gardens, parks, agricultural areas, and towns, often near water or forest clearings.

Male / Female

  • Male: Olive-brown upperparts, bright yellow underparts, bold white eyebrow, black eye mask, white throat, and a concealed yellow-orange crown patch that is visible when the crown feathers are raised. Slightly larger than the female.

  • Female: Nearly identical in plumage but generally slightly smaller and duller.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field, with size and breeding behaviour providing the best clues.

Size

  • Length: 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in)

  • Wingspan: 29–32 cm (11.4–12.6 in)

  • Weight: 24–33 g

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