Northern Scrub Flycatcher

Overview

The Sublegatus arenarum is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers, with a disjunct distribution across various Caribbean islands, the northern coast of South America, and Central America. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a very large range and an estimated population of at least 500,000 mature individuals that is believed to be stable.

Identification

• 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 10.5 to 15 g (0.37 to 0.53 oz), with sexes having identical plumage.
• Adults of the nominate subspecies have a grayish brown crown that sometimes erects as a shaggy crest, a whitish supercilium, and a dark line through the eye.
• Features a dark brown iris, a stubby black bill, and gray legs and feet, with a sharply demarcated pale gray breast and medium yellow belly.
• Vocalisations are not highly varied, primarily consisting of an abrupt "pweEEe!" and "peEEap!" given singly or doubled, alongside brisk, whistled "phew! - dit" calls.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of landscapes, with most subspecies found in mangroves and nearby scrubby vegetation. Other subspecies occupy cactus and deciduous thorn woodlands, deserts, dry woodlands, and scrubby second growth, ranging in elevation from sea level to about 600 m.

Diet

The northern scrub flycatcher feeds on arthropods and small fruits. It forages low down in shrubs and small trees, sitting erect on a perch and mostly hover-gleaning or snatching food from leaves in short sallies.

Did you know?

The impact of deforestation on the population is unclear, as the degradation of primary forests may benefit populations inhabiting secondary growth and dry woodland, while it may threaten populations in mangroves.