Bulletin 318 - Guatemala 2018 #4 - Flycatchers

I went for a third visit to Guatemala in May. Once again, I used the wonderful local guide Knut Eisermann of Cayaya Birding. On this visit, we went to different locations to get new species.

Tyrant flycatchers are the largest family of birds with 435 species all in the New World, so wherever you go in the Americas, you will see many different species. This trip was no exception.

The 5" White-throated Flycatcher (Empidonax albigularis) is the last of the 15 species of empid flycatchers. I have now photographed them all. Empids are IDed by the eye ring and wing bars. They are best IDed by voice and that is why I always have a guide to show me the birds.

White-throated Flycatcher

The 6.5" Eye-ringed Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris) is a drab olive flycatcher with an eye ring and broad based bill.

Eye-ringed Flatbill

The 3.5" Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet (Ornithion semiflavum) is a tiny yellow bellied bird with a long white eye stripe.

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet

The 5" Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus) is an olive backed small flycatcher with buffy underparts.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

The 8" Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus) is a rufous flycather with a bright yellow rump. It has a range from Mexico to Brazil.

Bright-rumped Attila

The 5" Belted Flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus) was the hardest of the flycatchers to date to photograph. It is a very rare secretive bird with a range from Chiapas in southern Mexico to El Salvador. We found a pair one afternoon and despite 1 hour trying, they never come out of the brush. The next day we went back and had success. This is a cute gray headed flycatcher with a wispy crest and brown chest band.

Belted Flycatcher

And a side view shows 2 beige wing bars.

Belted Flycatcher

The 5" Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) is an olive backed and yellow underside flycatcher with brown cap.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Lastly are 2 in the same genus. The 8.5" Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) is a common bird in eastern North America. We had them nesting in a bird house when I was growing up in Ontario. It is one of few bird songs I recognize since I remember it from childhood. They are brown backed with a gray or pale chest and bright yellow belly.

Great Crested Flycatcher

The 7.5" Yucatan Flycatcher (Myiarchus yucatanensis) is similar but paler overall.

Yucatan Flycatcher

I have the different bird families in single folders for easy viewing

I have photos of 121 of the 435 species of tyrant flycatchers

Happy birding and photography,

David McDonald
dkmmdpa@gmail.com

photos copyright 2006 - 2018 David McDonald

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