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Biodiversity

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Social Flycatcher
Myiozetetes similis | Spix, 1825

Characterization: Species measuring about 17 cm in length. The male has a red crest it displays when it is aroused. Its overall appearance resembles the Great Kiskadee, but it is much smaller. Its tail is long, but not forked. The stripe on the male's wing and the large longitudinal spots on the rectrices are white, and these spots are displayed in short, vertical flights, becoming very visible even at dusk.

Distribution: This bird is seen from Southern United States and Mexico to Bolivia, Paraguay, Misiones, and throughout Brazil. 

Habitat: Forest edges, open new vegetation areas, fields of isolated trees, savanna, and forest patches, and may be seen in secondary forests and forests in the recovery process.

Habits: It occurs in pairs or in small family groups and is very noisy. 

Diet: It feeds on insects it catches in mid-air.

Breeding: When it comes time to breed, this bird builds a grass nest, which is anchored on a fork in a tree. The nest is sometimes located on branches over water or near bee hives and ant nests, thus ensuring extra protection against predators. The female lays two eggs, which are off-white with small brown spots. 

In the UFRA area: This bird frequents organic sugarcane fields and the edges of restored forests along the waterways.