Black-capped flycatcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-capped flycatcher |
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Empidonax
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| Species: |
atriceps
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The black-capped flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) is a very small bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. It lives only in the high mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.
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Black-capped Flycatcher: A Tiny Mountain Bird
This little bird is known for its dark head and active nature. It's a fascinating creature to spot if you're ever exploring the cloud forests of Central America!
Where Does It Live?
The black-capped flycatcher likes to live high up in the mountains. You can find it in tall oak forests, especially near the top of the trees. It also likes the edges of forests and open areas, like clearings or bushy pastures.
These birds usually breed in the highest forest areas, from about 2,450 meters (8,000 feet) up to 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) above sea level. Sometimes they even go as high as 4,000 meters (13,000 feet)! During the rainy season, they might fly down to lower areas, around 1,850 meters (6,000 feet).
Home Sweet Nest
The black-capped flycatcher builds a cup-shaped nest. It's made from grass and mosses, and the inside is soft with plant fibers. These nests are often found hanging from grass on the side of an earth bank. They can also be placed high up in a tree, usually 2 to 12 meters (6 to 39 feet) off the ground, in a spot where a tree branch splits.
A female black-capped flycatcher usually lays two eggs. The eggs are plain cream or white. The mother bird sits on the eggs for about 14 to 15 days until they hatch. After the chicks hatch, they stay in the nest for another 17 days before they are ready to fly away.
What Does It Look Like?
The black-capped flycatcher is a tiny bird, only about 11.5 centimeters (4.5 inches) long. It weighs around 9 grams, which is about the same as two quarters!
Most of its head and the back of its neck are a dark, sooty black color. Its upper body is olive-brown. The underside of its body is a lighter brown, becoming whitish on its throat and a bit yellower on its lower belly. A cool feature is the wide white ring around its eye, which is broken right above the eye. Its wings and tail are blackish, and its wings have two light brown bars.
Both male and female black-capped flycatchers look similar. However, young birds have a browner head and lighter wing bars. When it calls, it makes a whistling kip sound. Its song is a loud keer keer.
How Is It Different From Other Birds?
It's easy to tell the black-capped flycatcher apart from other similar birds that migrate. Its dark, blackish head and generally dark look make it unique among other Empidonax flycatchers.
What Does It Eat?
Black-capped flycatchers are usually quite calm and active birds. When they are not breeding, you will often see them alone. They love to eat insects. They often catch their food in mid-air! They do this by flying out quickly from an open branch, grabbing an insect, and then returning to their perch.
