Rusty-margined Flycatcher

One of the familiar faces of Kabalebo: the Rusty-margined Flycatcher.

This is a bird that most of the time stays below the radar, but still is one of the residents of Kabalebo. The Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis) is a small bird - 16 - 17 cm compared to other flycatchers.

The Rusty-margined Flycatcher can best be described as a kiskadee flycatcher with a short black bill. Its throat is white and its belly is yellow. 

This flycatcher is seen perched on exposed branches where it is trying to find insects (by sallying) or eating berries or fruit. Sometimes they travel in a small family group, sometimes they are spotted as a pair and also as a lonesome bird.

They are not shy birds and I even spotted a couple of the Rusty-margined flycatchers sunbathing at the River cabin beach. 

Their nest is a rough ball of dry grass attached between branches. When it is nesting season the game is on to find the right nest material. It often happens that they will snatch nest material from each other only to start or finish building their own nest.

These flycatchers usually work together when trying to protect their eggs/hatchlings. Here you can see a Black-necked Aracari stealing eggs from the Rusty-margined Flycatcher's nest. Life can be rough sometimes.

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