Contopus bogotensis
The Northern Tropical Pewee (Contopus bogotensis), more commonly known as the Tropical Pewee, is a subtle yet engaging member of the Tyrannidae family, often causing identification challenges due to its unassuming plumage and close resemblance to other pewee species. Measuring approximately 12.5–15 cm (5–6 inches) in length and weighing 11–16 grams, this small flycatcher sports a dusky olive-gray head, often with a slight crest, contrasting with a dark eye. Its back is olive-brown, while the ...
Found in a variety of tropical and subtropical environments, including moist lowland and montane forests, forest edges, clearings, secondary growth, and coffee plantations, typically from sea level up to 2500 meters in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of flying insects such as flies, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, and butterflies, captured by sallying from a perch.
The Tropical Pewee is a quintessential diurnal flycatcher, spending much of its day perched conspicuously on exposed branches, snags, or wires, often in the mid-canopy. From these vantage points, it employs a 'sally-strike' or 'sally-glean' foraging strategy, darting out to snatch flying insects ...
The Tropical Pewee (Contopus bogotensis) is a widespread resident species primarily found throughout much of South America, east of the Andes from Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas south through eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, Paraguay, and central Brazil. West of the Andes, it occurs in parts...
Least Concern
- The common name 'Northern Tropical Pewee' is often applied to Contopus brachytarsus (Northern Pewee), a closely related species that was historically considered a subspecies of Contopus bogotensis, leading to taxonomic complexities and identification challenges. - Its scientific name, 'bogotens...