Rufous Mourner
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| Rhytipterna holerythra (Sclater & Salvin, 1860) |
The Rufous Mourner, Rhytipterna holerythra, is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from southwestern Mexico to northwestern Ecuador. It was formerly believed to be a cotinga, but its anatomy shows it to be related to the Myiarchus flycatchers.
This bird is found in lowlands and foothills up to 1200 m altitude in wet forests, adjacent old second growth, semi-open areas and shady plantations. The nest is unknown, but is suspected to be built in a cavity like those of its Myiarchus relatives.
The Rufous Mourner is 20 cm long and weighs 40 g. Its plumage is entirely rufous, brighter on the underparts, and with darker brown wings. The base of the bill is pink or horn-coloured.
The Rufous Mourner is seen alone, in family groups or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It perches on a twig from which it sallies forth to catch large insects and caterpillars and many seeds and berries. All the food is taken in flight. The call is a drawling way teeer and the song is wee hi hi weeur-weeur-weeur.
[edit] References
- Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica, ISBN 0-8014-9600-4
