Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons)
[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Tyrannidae | [latin] Empidonax fulvifrons | [UK] Buff-breasted Flycatcher | [FR] Moucherolle a ventre beige | [DE] Braunbrust-Tyrann | [ES] Mosquero Pechicanelo | [NL] Blonde Feetiran
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | NA, MA | sw USA to Honduras | ||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | brodkorbi | |||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | fulvifrons | |||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | fusciceps | |||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | inexpectatus | |||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | pygmaeus | |||
| Empidonax | fulvifrons | rubicundus |
Physical charateristics
Easily distinguished from the other more confusing empids by its small size and rich buffy breast .
Listen to the sound of Buff-breasted Flycatcher
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/B/Buff-breasted Flycatcher.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
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Range
North America, Middle America : Southwest USA to Honduras
Habitat
Open pine woods.
In Arizona, breeds in open areas in the mountains between elevations of 6,000-9,000′. Mostly in pines and oaks with very open, grassy understory. Tends to be concentrated along canyons, near trees growing along streams. In Mexico, summers in open pine wo
ods, may winter in streamside trees at lower elevations.
In Arizona, breeds in open areas in the mountains between elevations of 6,000-9,000′. Mostly in pines and oaks with very open, grassy understory. Tends to be concentrated along canyons, near trees growing along streams. In Mexico, summers in open pine wo
ods, may winter in streamside trees at lower elevations.
Reproduction
Often nests in loose colonies. Male sings to defend nesting territory. Courtship behavior involves male and female exploring potential nest sites together.
Nest: Sit
e is in tree (often in pine), either at base of branch against trunk or well out on horizontal branch, averaging about 25′ above the ground. Usually placed directly under an overhanging branch or group of leaves. Nest (built by female only) is open cup of
spider webs, rootlets, and leaves, the outside decorated with lichens, leaves, flakes of bark, and feathers. Lined with fine grasses, feathers, pine needles.
Eggs: 3-4, sometimes 2, rarely 5. Creamy white. Incubation is by female only, 14-16 days.
Young: Both parents bring food for nestlings. Young leave nest about 15-17 days after hatching. For several days after fledging, young stay close together, are fed by parents.
Nest: Sit
e is in tree (often in pine), either at base of branch against trunk or well out on horizontal branch, averaging about 25′ above the ground. Usually placed directly under an overhanging branch or group of leaves. Nest (built by female only) is open cup of
spider webs, rootlets, and leaves, the outside decorated with lichens, leaves, flakes of bark, and feathers. Lined with fine grasses, feathers, pine needles.
Eggs: 3-4, sometimes 2, rarely 5. Creamy white. Incubation is by female only, 14-16 days.
Young: Both parents bring food for nestlings. Young leave nest about 15-17 days after hatching. For several days after fledging, young stay close together, are fed by parents.
Feeding habits
Insects. Diet is not known in detail. Apparently feeds only on small insects and other arthropods, including ants, wasps, true bugs, beetles, moths, spiders, and others.
Behavior:
Forages by watching from a perch, then flying out to capture insects, then returning to the same perch or a new one. May forage high or low. Captures insects in midair, or takes them from foliage while hovering; may also drop to the ground to capture foo
d there.
Behavior:
Forages by watching from a perch, then flying out to capture insects, then returning to the same perch or a new one. May forage high or low. Captures insects in midair, or takes them from foliage while hovering; may also drop to the ground to capture foo
d there.
Conservation
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Migration
Central and southeastern Arizona, central-western New Mexico to Honduras. Winters from Sonora south. Migration:
Summer resident in Arizona, arriving in early April and departing in September. In Mexico, may regularly move to lower elevations in winter.
Summer resident in Arizona, arriving in early April and departing in September. In Mexico, may regularly move to lower elevations in winter.
Distribution map
