Pine Flycatcher

Overview

The pine flycatcher (Empidonax affinis) is a species of tyrant flycatcher found in Guatemala and Mexico, with a disjunct distribution across several subspecies. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN but is considered common to fairly common in Mexico and rare to uncommon in Guatemala.

Identification

• Size is 13 to 14.5 cm in length with a weight of approximately 11.5 g.
• Adults have olive to grayish olive upperparts, pale yellow underparts with a grayish wash across the breast, and two wing bars formed by whitish to buff tips on the coverts.
• The bill features a black maxilla and an orange-yellow mandible, while the legs and feet are blackish.
• Song varies by region, including phrases such as 'p-rip, p-rip, p'rr-ree' in northern and central Mexico and 'chri-k whee-u'' in Chiapas.

Habitat

This species inhabits pine savanna and the interior, edges, and openings of semi-arid to humid pine-oak forests. Its elevation range generally lies between 1,500 and 3,500 m, narrowing to 1,750 and 3,350 m in Guatemala.

Diet

The pine flycatcher feeds on insects, foraging at all levels of the forest in Mexico but restricted to lower to mid-levels in Guatemala. Specific details regarding its foraging behaviour remain almost unknown.

Did you know?

Vocal differences across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec have led to conjecture that more than one species is represented within this taxon.