The Variegated Flycatcher (*Empidonomus varius*) is a striking Neotropical passerine that lives up to its name with a boldly patterned plumage of black, white, and warm buff, featuring a distinct white supercilium, mottled crown, and scalloped breast. Its most unique characteristic is its highly varied migratory behavior—some populations are resident, while others undertake long migrations, and it is famed as one of South America’s most accomplished vagrants, occasionally turning up as a rare visitor as far north as the United States. This agile insectivore hunts from exposed perches in forest edges and clearings, sallying out to snatch prey mid-air with remarkable precision. A special feature is its subtle but telling vocalization: a sharp, piercing “*tsip*” call that helps distinguish it from similar flycatchers, making this adaptable bird a prized sighting for birders seeking a splash of tropical color and unpredictability.

Faits amusants

The Variegated Flycatcher is a master of disguise, undergoing a complete and rapid molt that changes its appearance so drastically between seasons that early ornithologists sometimes mistook it for two different species. It has a quirky habit of "tail-wagging" while perched, a rapid, sideways flick of its tail feathers that is distinct from the more vertical bobbing of other flycatchers. As a long-distance migrant, some individuals travel from South America all the way to the southern United States, a remarkable journey for a bird that weighs less than an ounce. It also possesses a uniquely aggressive hunting style for a flycatcher, occasionally swooping down to snatch small lizards or frogs from the ground in addition to its usual aerial insect catches.

Habitats et répartition

The Variegated Flycatcher occupies a broad range of open and semi-open habitats, including savannas, cerrado woodlands, forest edges, riverine forests, and agricultural areas with scattered trees. It is also found in gallery forests and disturbed secondary growth, often perching conspicuously on exposed branches or wires. Its geographical range spans much of central and eastern South America, from northern Argentina and Uruguay north through Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil, extending into the Guianas, Venezuela, and eastern Colombia. The species is partially migratory, with southern populations moving northward during the austral winter, occasionally reaching as far as Panama and Trinidad.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Variegated Flycatcher is generally solitary or found in loose pairs during the breeding season, with no strong social structure outside of parental care. Mating appears to be monogamous, with males defending small territories and performing aerial displays to attract females, which include song and fluttery flights. The female builds a shallow cup nest in a tree fork using plant fibers and spider webs, where she lays a clutch of two to three eggs. A unique reproductive strategy is its reliance on brood parasitism avoidance; the species is a frequent host for the Shiny Cowbird, and the flycatcher has been observed to recognize and reject cowbird eggs at a higher rate than many other passerines, a behavior that may have evolved due to intense parasitism pressure in its South American and Central American range. Incubation is performed solely by the female and lasts about 14 days, with both parents feeding the altricial young until fledging at around 17 to 19 days.

Alimentation

The Variegated Flycatcher is an insectivorous bird with a diet consisting primarily of flying insects, which it captures in agile aerial sallies from a conspicuous perch. It feeds heavily on bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and various beetles, often targeting larger, hard-bodied prey that other flycatchers avoid. Interestingly, this species is known to occasionally consume small fruits and berries, particularly during migration or in the non-breeding season, supplementing its protein-rich diet with carbohydrates. Another notable fact is its opportunistic feeding behavior: it will sometimes join mixed-species foraging flocks, darting out to snatch insects flushed by other birds, and it has been observed hovering briefly to pick insects off foliage when aerial prey is scarce.

Couleurs

The Variegated Flycatcher displays a streaked brownish-gray crown and nape, with a striking white supercilium and dark ear patch. Its back is mottled brown and rufous, while the underparts are pale yellow with heavy dark streaking on the breast and flanks. The wings show rufous edges and two pale wing bars, and the tail has white outer edges. This streaked, mottled pattern provides effective camouflage against tree bark and dappled forest light.