Empidonax flavescens
The Yellowish Flycatcher, *Empidonax flavescens*, is a small, vibrant member of the Tyrannidae family, measuring about 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 in) in length with a wingspan of 18-21 cm (7.1-8.3 in). Its most striking feature is a strong yellowish wash on its underparts, extending from the throat to the belly, contrasting with an olive-green back and head. Distinct buffy to whitish wingbars and a prominent, often broken, eye-ring are key identification marks. Unlike many of its notoriously difficult...
Found primarily in cool, moist montane evergreen forests, cloud forests, and wet broadleaf forests, typically at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 meters (2,600-9,800 feet).
Primarily insectivorous, consuming various flies, beetles, wasps, ants, caterpillars, and spiders, captured through aerial sallies and gleaning from vegetation.
Yellowish Flycatchers are diurnal insectivores, actively foraging throughout the day. They employ a 'sally-glean' strategy, perching upright on a low or mid-story branch, scanning for prey, and then making short, quick flights to snatch insects from foliage, bark, or mid-air. Males are highly ter...
The Yellowish Flycatcher is a resident species distributed throughout the highlands of Central America, from southern Mexico (specifically in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca) southward. Its continuous range extends through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and into western...
Least Concern
- Unlike most *Empidonax* flycatchers, the Yellowish Flycatcher is largely a resident species, undertaking only limited altitudinal movements rather than long-distance migrations. - Its scientific name, *Empidonax flavescens*, perfectly describes it: 'Empidonax' means 'gnat-king' (referring to it...