Myiophobus rufescens
The Rufescent Flycatcher (Myiophobus rufescens) is a petite and subtly charming member of the Tyrannidae family, characteristic of Andean cloud forests. Measuring around 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 in) in length and weighing approximately 10-14 grams, it is distinguished by its warm, rufous-brown upperparts, a lightly streaked rufous-olive crown, and two prominent buffy-rufous wing bars. Its throat is whitish, contrasting with a rufous-olive breast that can show faint streaking, grading into a pale yel...
This flycatcher primarily inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, often found near streams and areas of secondary growth, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters.
Its diet consists almost entirely of insects, including flies, beetles, and caterpillars, which it procures primarily through hawking from a perch or gleaning from vegetation.
The Rufescent Flycatcher is a diurnal species, generally observed singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks. It employs a classic flycatcher foraging strategy, perching upright on an exposed branch, often at mid-canopy level, from which it sallies forth to snatch flying insect...
The Rufescent Flycatcher is endemic to the Andes Mountains of South America, with a discontinuous distribution spanning from southern Colombia, through Ecuador and Peru, and extending into northern Bolivia. In Colombia, it is found in the Andes of Nariño department. Its range in Ecuador includes ...
Least Concern
- Despite its somewhat plain appearance, its rufous tones are surprisingly distinct and helpful for identification within the diverse flycatcher family. - It's an expert at camouflage, often blending so seamlessly into the moss and lichen-covered branches of its cloud forest habitat that it can b...