Short-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus ferox

Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies · Passeriformes · Uncommon

The Short-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus ferox) is a uncommon tyrant flycatcher found in 12 countries, weighing about 28 g. The short-crested flycatcher is a species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae.

Least ConcernUncommonEats invertebratesforestcavity nest28 g

About the Short-crested Flycatcher

The short-crested flycatcher is a species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The short-crested flycatcher is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 21 to 34 g (0.74 to 1.2 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies M. f. ferox have a smoky brown crown and upperparts; the crown has a slight crest. Their face is otherwise gray. Their wings are mostly dark brown with whitish yellow to grayish outer webs on the tertials. The wing's greater and median coverts have wide paler fuscous brown tips that show as two wing bars. Their tail is dark smoky brown with rufous edges on the feathers that quickly wear away. Voice: The short-crested flycatcher's song, given both at dawn and during the day, is "hort, slowly vibrato-modulated whistles given infrequently". It has also been described as a "short, fine prrrrih trill". Its calls include "rasping whistles, hiccups, and sometimes strident rattles".

What the Short-crested Flycatcher sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

The Short-crested Flycatcher can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Short-crested Flycatcher?
The short-crested flycatcher is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 21 to 34 g (0.74 to 1.2 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Short-crested Flycatcher?
The Short-crested Flycatcher is a small sized bird weighing about 28 g.
Where can you see a Short-crested Flycatcher?
The Short-crested Flycatcher occurs in 12 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina.
What does a Short-crested Flycatcher sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Short-crested Flycatcher on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Short-crested Flycatcher?
The Short-crested Flycatcher is most easily confused with the Pale-edged Flycatcher, the Swainson's Flycatcher and the Puerto Rican Flycatcher.
Is the Short-crested Flycatcher endangered?
The Short-crested Flycatcher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Short-crested Flycatcher for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

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