Overview

The Flycatchers family of birds contains a large number of species. A common species, the Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis), can be seen in backyards, gardens, pastures, and forests. They can be small, medium, large and extra-large. Some species are spectacularly colored, but most are greenish or grayish, and many are so hard to tell apart by looks that one needs to listen to their voices to determine who is who.

Social flycatchers are rather noisy birds with a variety of loud and unmusical calls. Each species has its own range, with some covering half the country and other limited to small areas. The Social Flycatcher is one of the yellow-breasted birds of Central and South America. Its body length is 16.5 in., it has a gray cap and a gray mask, and the head appears small in proportion to the body.

Diet

Social flycatchers perch in the open and then fly to catch insects or go to the water to catch tadpoles. They will also eat small fruits and berries.

Nesting Behaviour

The nests of social flycatchers’ is a rather untidy large, domed ball wedged in a fork of branches, often near water, with the entrance on one side near the top, often in a thorn tree or near a bee or wasp nest, or stinging ant nest, occasionally using the nest of another bird as a foundation, or in cavities that are filled with grass that protrudes from the hole. Females lay three whitish eggs finely spotted with shades of brown mostly at larger end.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)