Grey Silky-flycatcher

Overview

The grey silky-flycatcher, Ptiliogonys cinereus, is a species of bird in the family Ptiliogonatidae found primarily in Mexico and Guatemala. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN but is subject to significant legal harvest for the cagebird trade.

Identification

• Slender bird, 18.5 to 21 cm long, featuring a prominent crest and long tail.
• Males exhibit blue-gray upperparts, black flight feathers, and bright yellow undertail coverts, while females are greyer with brownish sides.
• Both sexes possess a black bill, black legs, and dark irises.
• Vocalisations include a warbled series of chuck notes, high seeps, quiet whistles, and a loud 'tu whip' call.

Habitat

Inhabits pine, pine-oak, and juniper forests in subtropical and temperate zones, as well as pine savannas and occasionally cloud forests. Its range spans from southern Coahuila and Nuevo León in Mexico to south-central Guatemala, with vagrant records in Texas. Elevational distribution varies by subspecies, generally ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 metres.

Diet

Feeds on insects and small fruits, with a particular preference for mistletoe berries. Foraging methods include plucking fruit while perched and catching insects in mid-air from high perches. It often forages in flocks of up to 15 individuals.

Did you know?

Despite being listed as Least Concern, the species faces pressure from the legal cagebird trade, with an annual harvest exceeding 4,000 individuals.