The Brown-crested Flycatcher (*Myiarchus tyrannulus*) is a spirited and robust songbird of the American Southwest and Neotropics, easily identified by its large, peaked head and thick, dark bill. Its general appearance is a study in subtle contrasts: a dusky brown back and wings, a pale yellow belly, and a distinctive rusty-brown wash on the wings and tail that flashes during flight. A unique characteristic is its loud, rolling *"wheep-wheep-wheep"* call, often given from exposed perches, which sets it apart from other similar-looking Myiarchus flycatchers. Special features include a slight crest that gives it a "fierce" expression and its habit of aggressively defending its territory, even chasing away much larger birds.

Faits amusants

The Brown-crested Flycatcher is a master of deception, often laying its eggs in the nests of other birds like kingbirds or orioles—a parasitic behavior called brood parasitism, though it occasionally raises its own young. It has a quirky habit of vigorously shaking its tail from side to side while perched, a motion so exaggerated it looks like a nervous tic. To defend its territory, it will aggressively mob much larger predators, including hawks and snakes, by dive-bombing them while emitting a harsh, raspy *“k-r-r-r-r-r”* call. Its nest is uniquely repurposed from old woodpecker holes or natural cavities, where it often lines the interior with a thick layer of shed snake skin, possibly to deter predators.

Habitats et répartition

The Brown-crested Flycatcher inhabits a variety of semi-open and edge habitats, including dry thorn forests, riparian woodlands, scrublands, and suburban gardens. It prefers areas with scattered trees and clearings, often near water sources, and is commonly found in lowland and foothill regions up to around 1,500 meters in elevation. Its geographical range extends from the southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico) through Mexico and Central America, reaching into South America as far as northern Argentina and Brazil. It is a resident species across most of its range, though northern populations may migrate southward for the winter.

Comportements & Reproduction

Brown-crested Flycatchers are generally solitary or found in pairs, with a monogamous mating system that likely persists across breeding seasons. Courtship involves the male chasing the female through the canopy while giving harsh, rolling calls, and the pair may engage in mutual preening. The female selects a nest cavity, often an abandoned woodpecker hole or natural tree hollow, and builds a loose cup of grass, feathers, and snake skin. Clutch size is typically three to five eggs, which the female incubates alone for about 14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, and fledging occurs around 15–16 days after hatching. A unique strategy is their frequent use of shed snake skins in the nest lining, which may deter predators or parasites.

Alimentation

The Brown-crested Flycatcher is an insectivorous bird whose diet consists primarily of a wide variety of flying insects, including beetles, moths, grasshoppers, cicadas, and dragonflies, which it typically captures by sallying out from a perch in a brief, agile flight. A particularly interesting aspect of its feeding behavior is its frequent consumption of stinging Hymenoptera, such as bees and wasps; the bird skillfully beats these dangerous prey against a branch to remove the venomous stinger before swallowing. Additionally, while insects form the bulk of its diet, it is an opportunistic feeder that will also consume small fruits and berries, especially during the non-breeding season when insects are less abundant, and it has even been observed taking small lizards and anoles.

Couleurs

The Brown-crested Flycatcher has a gray-brown head and upperparts, with a darker brown crest and wings. Its throat and upper breast are pale gray, transitioning to a bright lemon-yellow belly and undertail coverts. The tail is rufous-brown with a blackish tip, and the wing feathers show subtle pale edges and a rufous panel on the primaries. This coloration provides camouflage among tree bark and foliage, while the yellow belly may serve as a signal during social displays.