Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Well, I submitted my Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) find to the California Bird Records Committee (CBRC). Initial feedback is that it's a convincing record. I don't imagine it will have any trouble being accepted. If it isn't, though, I'll still likely learn something valuable about identifying birds.

So what is a Myiarchus tuberculifer and why is it exciting (to me, anyway)? This is it:


It's a small bird in the family Tyrannidae. Tyrannidae is a uniquely new world family: it's only found in the Western Hemisphere. Nonetheless, it's considered the largest bird family on earth. That's probably subject to change as avian taxonomy is in constant flux. The members of this family generally specialize in eating insects, but some will eat berries, also.

The Dusky-capped Flycatcher is a mostly tropical species (like the vast majority of its family). You will find it in woodlands from southern Arizona south to northern Argentina. You usually will not find it in California, but it is apparently the most expected wintering Myiarchus flycatcher on the coastal slope of southern California (according to an e-mail from Kimball Garrett - someone who should know).

Some birds make a mistake when they head south for the winter and end up going in the wrong direction. This bird traveled northwest instead of south. It's probably been frequenting this Eucalyptus grove most of the winter. Who knows how many unusual birds were spending this winter in out of the way places? Finding these hidden treasures is one of the many pleasures of bird-watching.


So, how do you know if you've seen a Dusky-capped Flycatcher?

Dusky-capped Flycatchers are best distinguished from their nearest congeners by voice. Its typical call is a descending peeeur with a strongly mournful quality. But it definitely has other vocalizations, one of which I heard the first time I saw it. That was frustrating at the time, but I appreciate it, now, as I feel I have a little better experience with the species.

Dusky-capped Flycatchers are also the smallest of the Myiarchus flycatchers north of the Mexican border. It looks a little rounder rather than the more lanky appearance of its close relatives. Otherwise, the yellow on the belly is brighter, and the dusky cap contrasts strongly with its gray throat. This really stands out from quite a distance. One thing that many birders will look for on a Myiarchus flycatcher is the under-tail pattern - vaguely visible in the photos above. Many of the birds have fairly distinctive patterns (though there's actually considerable variation). Dusky-capped Flycatchers lack the strong rufous coloring that's obvious on the other species, and the paler inner feathers contrast with the outer feathers from the base of the tail to its tip. The Ash-throated Flycatcher is especially distinctive in that it shows a darker bar across the base of the tail - this is generally absent in the other three species found in the U.S.

Oh, and the scientific name of Dusky-capped Flycatcher strikes me as pretty trippy: Myiarchus tuberculifer. What's it mean? It means "lord of the flies" "carrying a fleshy protuberance." This is from the Dictionary of Birds of the United States (a book I wouldn't mind having, actually). Tuberculosis is derived from that same root.

More information on Dusky-capped Flycatchers:

Wikipedia: Dusky-capped Flycatcher page.

USGS Patuxtent wild bird research site: Dusky-capped Flycatcher.

What Bird?: Dusky-capped Flycatcher page (field guide format includes vocalization and range map)

Internet Bird Collection: Dusky-capped Flycatcher video. This vocalizing bird's call is a little quicker than the ones I've heard (in La Mirada and Arizona). Since it's videoed in South America one wonders if that's reflective of a taxonomical difference. Of course, you can't tell from one video. There are four other videos of this species from South America, but I can't figure out how to link to the page that displays those options.