Dark Pewee

The dark pewee (Contopus lugubris) is a small, yet striking passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is characterized by its sooty-grey upperparts, with the darkest hue adorning its prominently crested crown. The wings and tail exhibit a blackish color, with the wings accented by grey feather edges and a subtle wing bar. The throat is a pale grey, transitioning to a paler olive-grey on the underparts and culminating in a yellowish hue on the lower belly. This bird measures an impressive 26.5 cm in length and tips the scales at 23 grams.

Identification Tips

When identifying the dark pewee, look for its distinctive sooty-grey plumage and crested crown. Both sexes appear similar, but juveniles can be distinguished by their browner upperparts and the rufous fringes on their wing feathers.

Habitat

The dark pewee is endemic to the Talamancan montane forests, where it thrives at altitudes ranging from 1250 to 2150 meters. It favors the wet mountain forests, particularly at the edges and in clearings, as well as adjacent semi-open areas peppered with tall trees.

Distribution

This bird is a resident of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it is intimately associated with the Talamancan montane forests.

Behaviour

Outside the breeding season, the dark pewee is a solitary creature. It is often observed perched on high vantage points, from which it launches to capture flying insects, only to return to the same exposed perch.

Song & Calls

The dark pewee is an audible presence in its habitat, known for its incessant loud "whip" call and a repetitive "fred-reek-fear" song that resonates through the montane forests.

Breeding

The female dark pewee is solely responsible for constructing the nest—a broad, thick-walled saucer of mosses and lichens, lined with plant fibers. This nest is strategically placed across a branch, 5 to 18 meters above the ground. The female lays a clutch of only two eggs and incubates them for a period of 15 to 16 days until they hatch.

Similar Species

There are no similar species mentioned for comparison.

Diet and Feeding

The dark pewee's diet consists primarily of flying insects, which it adeptly catches in mid-air during its sallies from its perch.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the dark pewee as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.