Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps)
Black-capped Flycatcher

Black-capped Flycatcher

Empidonax atriceps

The Black-capped Flycatcher, scientifically known as Empidonax atriceps, is a diminutive passerine bird belonging to the Tyrant Flycatcher family. This avian species is adorned with a sooty black head and nape, while its upperparts are cloaked in an olive-brown hue. The underparts are a lighter shade of brown, transitioning to a whitish throat and a more yellowish hue on the lower belly. The bird's head is marked by a broad white eye ring, which is interrupted above the eye, and the wings and tail exhibit a blackish coloration, with the wings featuring two pale brown bars. Both sexes share a similar appearance, though juveniles can be distinguished by a browner head and less pronounced wing bars.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Black-capped Flycatcher, look for its distinctive blackish head, which sets it apart from migratory Empidonax flycatchers. The bird measures approximately 11.5 cm in length and weighs around 9 grams. Its white eye ring, broken above the eye, and the two pale brown wing bars are key features to observe.

Habitat

This species favors the high canopy of mountain oak forests, but it is also known to inhabit the lower regions at forest edges, clearings, second growth, and bushy pastures.

Distribution

Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, the Black-capped Flycatcher is a bird of the mountains, typically found at altitudes ranging from 2450 m to 3300 m, and occasionally as high as 4000 m. During the peak of the rainy season, it may descend to elevations as low as 1850 m.

Behaviour

The Black-capped Flycatcher exhibits a tame and active demeanor. It is often observed alone, especially outside of the breeding season. These birds are known for their short sallies from an open perch to capture insects in flight.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of this species include a whistled "kip" call and a louder "keer keer" song, which can be heard echoing through its mountainous habitat.

Breeding

Breeding mainly occurs in the highest forested areas. The species constructs a cup-shaped nest from grass and mosses, lining it with plant fibers. This nest is either suspended from grass atop an earth bank or placed within a vertical tree fork, anywhere from 2 to 12 meters above the ground. The typical clutch consists of two unmarked cream or white eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 14–15 days until hatching, followed by a fledging period of 17 days.

Similar Species

While similar to other Empidonax flycatchers, the Black-capped Flycatcher can be easily distinguished by its darker head and overall darker plumage.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Black-capped Flycatcher is primarily composed of insects, which it adeptly captures in flight from an open perch.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Black-capped Flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating that the species currently faces no significant threats to its survival.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Black-capped Flycatchers on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Sarah B
Sarah B
06 Jan 2025 - 1:38pm
Costa Rica

More Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.