Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus validus

The Brown-crested Flycatcher is a medium-sized bird found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. It has a brownish-olive upper body and a yellow belly with a bold rufous tail. This species is known for its distinctive call, a loud 'wheep' or 'wheer' often repeated. It primarily feeds on insects, catching them in mid-air or by gleaning from foliage. The Brown-crested Flycatcher prefers open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian areas for nesting and foraging. It constructs its cup-shaped nest in tree cavities or nest boxes. This species is known for its feisty behavior, often chasing away larger birds from its territory.

Habitat: Open woodlands, forest edges, riparian areas