General

Piratic Flycatcher: Small flycatcher with olive-brown upperparts, dark brown crown with a concealed yellow patch, dull white face with thick dark eye-line and moustache stripe, white throat shading to pale yellow on belly, and indistinct dark streaks on breast and sides. Wings are dark with two bars; feather edges are pale. Tail is dark with pale feather edges. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Piratic Flycatcher: Breeds from southeast Mexico to northwest Ecuador. Spends winters in South America. Frequents open country with scattered trees and forest edges.

Breeding and Nesting

Piratic Flycatcher: Two or three gray-brown eggs blotched with brown are laid in a closed nest taken from other birds by harassment; throws out eggs or nestlings if present. Stolen nests are lined with dead leaves.

Foraging and Feeding

Piratic Flycatcher: Feeds on insects during the breeding season; eats fruits at other times.

Readily Eats

Meal Worms

Vocalization

Piratic Flycatcher: Song is a loud, clear, shrill, and ringing "whiye'eee" or "pee-e-e-e" often followed by 3 to 4 shorter lower "titititi" or "pee-de-de-de" notes. Alarm call is a short, deep, rather mellow "dee", rapidly repeated.

Similar Species

Piratic Flycatcher: Ash-throated Flycatcher is larger and lacks streaks on breast and sides.