The Buff-breasted Flycatcher: A Bird Worth Spotting
The Buff-breasted Flycatcher is a small bird that is native to North and Central America. It belongs to the family of birds known as Tyrant Flycatchers, which are characterized by their habit of catching insects while in flight.
Basic Description
This species has a unique and striking appearance with olive-brown upperparts, a grayish-white breast, yellow belly, and distinctive buff-colored wing bars. The bird’s bill is black with pale base coloration, while its eyes are surrounded by white feather patches giving it an almost dramatic look.
Where To Find This Bird
Buff-breasted flycatchers can be found in wooded areas such as pine-oak forests or thorn scrub areas throughout Central America from southern Mexico to Panama. They also exist sparsely in the southwestern United States including Arizona and New Mexico during breeding season (May through August).
Habitat
Inhabiting humid and dry forests where trees provide cover for nesting sites – this bird thrives on lowlands but could also thrive up to elevations of 3 000 meters above sea level. Its preferred habitat includes deciduous woodlands mixed with pines, oaks or tall cypresses; brushy hillsides; riparian corridors like streams, lakeshores or riverside thickets where they find shelter from predators.
Food
Buff-breasted flycatchers mostly feed on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers spiders etc., caught on their aerial forays above the forest canopy into open spaces. They have also been observed feeding on fruits like mistletoe berries when insect prey becomes scarce.
Cool Facts
1) Unlike most species that build nests using twigs & leaves – Buff-Breast Fly Catchers prefer building nests out of spider silk & lichen.
2) Their calls sound similar to those made by other small tyrant flycatchers, but are distinguishable due to their unique tonal quality.
3) These birds are known for being great fliers compared with other Flycatcher species. They can fly over long distances without stopping and often migrate over thousands of miles southwards from North America during winter.
In conclusion, the Buff-breasted Flycatcher is a unique bird that boasts an interesting blend of features including a striking appearance, distinctive nesting habits, and impressive aerial acrobatics. If you’re lucky enough to spot one in your area or during a nature walk – make sure to stop and take notice of this stunning bird!
