Northern scrub-flycatcher

Sublegatus arenarum

Photo by Patrick Ingremeau (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
northern scrub-flycatcher (en); guaracava-nortenha (pt); tyranneau des palétuviers (fr); mosquero matorralero norteño (es); nördlicher strauchtyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found from Costa Rica to northern Colombia, Venezuela and the Guyanas.

Size:
These birds are 13-15 cm long and weigh around 14 g.

Habitat:
The northern scrub-flycatcher is found in tropical dry scrublands and forests, and also in mangroves, from sea level up to an altitude of 600 m.

Diet:
They mostly feed on insects which they catch on the wing, or sometimes glean from the vegetation. They also take some fruits.

Breeding:
They nest in a shallow cup made of rootlets, tendrils and dry leaves, placed in a fork in a tree 2-10 m above the ground. The female lays 2 white eggs with brown or lilac spots, which she incubates alone for 14-15 days while being fed by the male. The chicks fledge 15 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon. The population trend is difficult to determine, as forest clearance may benefit populations occupying secondary growth and dry woodland, but threatens populations in mangroves.