THE VERMILLION FLYCATCHER - Pyrocephalus rubinus

The Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus

The Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus, is a small passerine bird from the Tyrannidae family. The species grows to about 18 cm)in length, and is strongly dimorphic. The common name of 'vermilion' only relates to the male flycatcher which is blessed with brilliant undersides, breast, neck and cap. The back is black and there is a black eye-band running running to and joining the back of the nape of the neck. the bill, legs are also black.

The Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus

The female Vermilion Flycatcher is much less colourful having yellow underparts, an off-white breast and neck, and a brown head and neck. The bill neck and feet in both sexes are black. When young, the immature male Vermilion Flycatcher  displays the same colours as the female.

The Vermilion Flycatcher feeds on insects such as flies, grasshoppers and beetles mainly caught on the wing, but it is also known to feed on the ground. such as flies,

They prefer open areas, and their range includes Mexico, south-western United States, scattered portions of Central America, north-western and central South America, and central Argentina. They are also found in the Galapagos Islands where they are classed as Pyrocephalus rubinus nanus although they are sometimes listed as the separate species Pyrocephalus nanus. Here they are also commonly known as Darwin's Flycatcher or the Galapagos Flycatcher.

The bird breeds mainly during the warm season, which is December to may on the coast, but may nest all year round in the highlands. The female will lay 2–3 whitish eggs which are incubated by the female only for around two weeks. The young are usually ready to leave the nest 15 days after hatching. The Vermilion Flycatcher is known to breed frequently during heavy El Niño years.

In text image credit - Charles & Clint file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Generic license.
Main image credit - Leautaud file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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