Northern Schiffornis

Overview

The northern schiffornis, also known as the northern mourner, is a Neotropical bird in the family Tityridae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a large range across Central and South America, though its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• 15.5 to 16.5 cm in length with a weight of 20 to 40 g.
• Plumage is dark brownish olive on the upperparts and tail, with warmer brown wings; sexes are identical.
• A pale, indistinct eye-ring is visible on the otherwise dark brownish olive face.
• Underparts range from brownish olive to grayish olive on the belly and vent, though subspecies variations include entirely dark brownish olive or chestnut-brown throats.

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits the interior of humid to wet evergreen forests, rarely occurring at forest edges or in nearby mature secondary forest. Its range spans from southern Mexico through Central America (excluding much of the Yucatán Peninsula and El Salvador) into northwestern Colombia, Ecuador, and extreme northwestern Peru. Elevation ranges vary by region, extending from sea level up to 1,700 m on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica.

Diet

The northern schiffornis feeds on fruits and insects, though specific details are lacking. It usually forages singly in the forest understory, often clinging to low-level vertical stems and taking food from vegetation with short sallies from a perch.

Did you know?

The northern schiffornis builds its large cup nest out of dead leaves and their skeletons, lining it with rootlets and fungal rhizomorphs. The female is solely responsible for building the nest, incubating the two-egg clutch for about 20 to 21 days, and provisioning the nestlings.