Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher
Encyclopedia
The Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher (Phainoptila melanoxantha) is a species of bird
in the Bombycillidae family. It is monotypic
within the genus Phainoptila. It is found in Costa Rica
and Panama
with distinctive yellow flanks. Males have a black back, head and tail, yellow flanks and rump, olive breasts and grey bellies. Females have a black cap, olive breast, rump, wings and tail, yellow flanks, and grey throat, nape
, and belly. Young are similar to adult female, but duller and with no grey on nape
and dusky streaking on breast.
to western Panama
, in mountains from 1800 m (6000 ft.) to timberline
, although they may wander lower after breeding season
. Found in highland forests and adjacent second growth and garden
s.
s, and shrubs. Rather sluggish and sedentary, often spends long periods of time stuffing itself with berries from a single tree. Occasionally accompanies Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
flocks, but soon lags behind. Occasionally plucks insects foliage or catches them in the air, though not often. Usually found alone or pairs, forms loose flocks after breeding season
.
Call is a high, sharp, thin tsit or tseep, suggesting a much smaller bird. Appears to not sing.
is a compact, bulky, cup of green moss, thin stems and fern fronds. Found 5–13 ft. (1.5–4 m) up in a dense shrup or sapling. Lays 2 spotted, greyish-white eggs. Nesting occurs from April to May.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Bombycillidae family. It is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
within the genus Phainoptila. It is found in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
Description
The Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher is a small, rotund birdBird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
with distinctive yellow flanks. Males have a black back, head and tail, yellow flanks and rump, olive breasts and grey bellies. Females have a black cap, olive breast, rump, wings and tail, yellow flanks, and grey throat, nape
Nape
The nape is the back of the neck. In technical anatomical/medical terminology, the nape is referred to by the word nucha, which also gives the adjective corresponding to "nape" in English, "nuchal"....
, and belly. Young are similar to adult female, but duller and with no grey on nape
Nape
The nape is the back of the neck. In technical anatomical/medical terminology, the nape is referred to by the word nucha, which also gives the adjective corresponding to "nape" in English, "nuchal"....
and dusky streaking on breast.
Habitat and Range
Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatchers are found from Costa RicaCosta Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
to western Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, in mountains from 1800 m (6000 ft.) to timberline
Timberline
Timberline or timber line has several meanings:* Tree line, the edge of a habitat at which trees are capable of growing* Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark mountain lodge and ski area in Oregon, U.S....
, although they may wander lower after breeding season
Breeding season
The breeding season is the most suitable season, usually with favourable conditions and abundant food and water, for breeding among some wild animals and birds . Species with a breeding season have naturally evolved to have sexual intercourse during a certain time of year in order to achieve the...
. Found in highland forests and adjacent second growth and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
s.
Habits and Voice
Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatchers frequent middle levels and upper understory of highland forests. Eats mainly of berries of trees, epiphyteEpiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
s, and shrubs. Rather sluggish and sedentary, often spends long periods of time stuffing itself with berries from a single tree. Occasionally accompanies Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
The Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Chlorospingus pileatus, is a small passerine bird. This tanager is an endemic resident breeder in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama....
flocks, but soon lags behind. Occasionally plucks insects foliage or catches them in the air, though not often. Usually found alone or pairs, forms loose flocks after breeding season
Breeding season
The breeding season is the most suitable season, usually with favourable conditions and abundant food and water, for breeding among some wild animals and birds . Species with a breeding season have naturally evolved to have sexual intercourse during a certain time of year in order to achieve the...
.
Call is a high, sharp, thin tsit or tseep, suggesting a much smaller bird. Appears to not sing.
Nesting
NestNest
A nest is a place of refuge to hold an animal's eggs or provide a place to live or raise offspring. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves; or may simply be a depression in the ground, or a hole in a tree, rock or building...
is a compact, bulky, cup of green moss, thin stems and fern fronds. Found 5–13 ft. (1.5–4 m) up in a dense shrup or sapling. Lays 2 spotted, greyish-white eggs. Nesting occurs from April to May.