Contopus lugubris
The Dark Pewee, Contopus lugubris, is a medium-sized tyrant flycatcher distinguished by its overall dusky, olive-brown plumage, a characteristic that gives it its common name and differentiates it from paler congeners. Measuring approximately 14.5 to 16.5 cm (5.7-6.5 inches) in length and weighing around 15-20 grams (0.5-0.7 oz), it exhibits subtle yet important field marks: a generally unmarked dark head, a brownish breast that blends into a slightly paler belly, and faint, often indistinct,...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, favoring the forest interior, edges, and clearings with scattered tall trees. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,500 meters (2,300-8,200 feet) above sea level.
The Dark Pewee is an insectivore, feeding almost exclusively on flying insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and wasps. It captures prey using a sally-and-return foraging technique.
Dark Pewees are primarily diurnal, actively foraging during the day and roosting solitarily or in small groups amidst dense foliage at night. Their foraging strategy is classic flycatcher: they sally forth from an exposed perch, capturing flying insects in mid-air before returning to the same or ...
The Dark Pewee is a resident species distributed across the highland regions of Central and northwestern South America. Its northern range begins in southern Mexico (southeastern Oaxaca and Chiapas), extending through the highlands of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, r...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name, `lugubris`, is Latin for 'mournful' or 'lamenting', likely referring to its plaintive and often melancholic vocalizations. - Unlike many other pewees, the Dark Pewee typically lacks a prominent white eye-ring, a key field mark for distinguishing it from similar species in i...