Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

The piratic flycatcher, scientifically known as Legatus leucophaius, is a small passerine bird, notable for its plain brown upperparts and distinctive head markings. Adults measure around 15 cm in length and weigh approximately 23 grams. They exhibit a long whitish supercilium, a hidden yellow crown stripe, and a dusky mask through the eyes. The throat is white, complemented by a white malar stripe, while the underparts are whitish with a hint of light yellow and blurred brownish streaking on the breast and flanks. Their bill is dark, short, and broad.

Identification Tips

When identifying the piratic flycatcher, look for the long whitish eyebrow stripe and the concealed yellow crown stripe. The white throat and malar stripe are also key features, along with the brownish streaking on the breast and flanks. The bird's overall unstreaked plain brown back and narrow white edges on the flight feathers are additional distinguishing characteristics.

Habitat

This species thrives in savannahs and other semi-open habitats that are graced with large trees, providing ample perching and nesting opportunities.

Distribution

The piratic flycatcher is a resident breeder that ranges from southern Mexico and Trinidad to the southern reaches of Bolivia and Argentina. Some populations, particularly those in Central America and Trinidad, are migratory, and the species is also known to visit Tobago.

Behaviour

These birds are known for their unique nesting strategy; they do not construct their own nests but rather usurp the nests of other birds, often larger species such as the yellow-rumped cacique or crested oropendola. After driving the original nest owners away, the female flycatcher will lay her eggs and proceed with incubation and rearing.

Song & Calls

The piratic flycatcher's call is a distinctive upslurred "weeEEE," which can be heard emanating from high perches throughout the day. They may also produce a repetitive "weep weep weep" call.

Breeding

Breeding occurs year-round for the piratic flycatcher. The female lays up to four, typically two, black-streaked brown eggs and incubates them alone for 16 days until hatching. The fledging period lasts an additional 18–20 days.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the piratic flycatcher consists mainly of fruit, such as berries, and the catkins of Cecropia trees. They also consume insects, including dragonflies, and feed their young primarily on insects as well.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the piratic flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.

Piratic Flycatcher Sounds


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

Piratic Flycatchers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura

A photo of a Strange-tailed Tyrant (Alectrurus risora) , male

Strange-tailed Tyrant

Alectrurus risora
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
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.