Sad Flycatcher

Overview

The sad flycatcher (Myiarchus barbirostris) is a species of tyrant flycatcher endemic to Jamaica. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is considered widespread and common despite a small range.

Identification

• Mismsme 16.5 to 17 cm in length and weighing between 11.5 and 16 g.
• Adults feature a smoky olive-brown crown with a crest, olive upperparts with rufous-tinged uppertail coverts, and lemon-yellow lower breast and belly.
• Wings are mostly brown with faint rufous wing bars on the greater and median coverts, and the tail is brown with rufous on the outer webs.
• Call is an emphatic "pip, pip-pip" or a rising "pip-pip-piree".

Habitat

Found throughout most of Jamaica, primarily inhabiting lowland and montane evergreen forest and woodlands from sea level to 2,000 m. It also occasionally occupies drier lowland areas, open high-elevation forest, and seldom mangroves.

Diet

Feeds on small insects by perching 3 to 9 m above the ground and making sallies to grab prey from foliage, often returning to the same perch.

Did you know?

The type specimen was originally mistakenly described as having been taken in Mexico, though the species is now known to be endemic to Jamaica.