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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)

-Tityras and Allies (Family Tityridae)

-Genus Pyrocephalus

-Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)


The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small bird known for the male's brilliant red plumage and the female's more subdued gray-brown coloring with a salmon blush. They are primarily insectivores that catch prey in mid-air from a perch, habitat in open areas with scattered trees, and have a wide range in Central and South America, extending to the southwestern U.S.. The genus name, Pyrocephalus, means "fire-headed," referencing the male's striking appearance.

Vermilion Flycatcher - Male

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Diet

  • Primarily flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies, termites, bees, wasps, ants, moths, and butterflies.

  • Also feeds on spiders and occasionally small berries.

  • Hunts from exposed perches, making short, graceful aerial sallies to capture insects before returning to the same perch.

Range

  • Found from the southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, much of South America, and the Galápagos Islands (different subspecies).

  • Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a common year-round resident.

  • Inhabits open woodland, tropical dry forests, thorn scrub, riverbanks, grasslands, agricultural land, parks, gardens, and semi-open habitats, usually near water or open clearings.

Male / Female

  • Male: Brilliant scarlet-red head, throat, breast, belly, and undertail, contrasting sharply with a dark brown to black mask, back, wings, and tail.

  • Female: Grayish-brown upperparts with a pale throat, whitish underparts washed with soft pink or salmon on the lower breast and belly, and faint streaking on the breast.

  • Juveniles: Resemble adult females; young males gradually acquire patches of bright red plumage.

  • The sexes are easily distinguished by the male's striking scarlet plumage.

Size

  • Length: 13–14 cm (5.1–5.5 in)

  • Wingspan: 24–25 cm (9.4–9.8 in)

  • Weight: 11–14 g (0.4–0.5 oz)

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