en/sustainability/biodiversity/animals/birds/swainsons-flycatcher/571

Biodiversity

< Back

Swainson's Flycatcher
Myiarchus swainsoni | Cabanis & Heine, 1859

Vocalization

1 / 2

Characterization: Medium to large species measuring some 44cm in length. Males and females are similar, with striped flanks, black wings and beaks, and dark gray feet; as adults, they have a white mask. To escape a possible predator, the defend themselves diving, especially when the water is wrinkled by the wind so predators cannot see where they surface to breathe. 

Distribution: Throughout the Tropical region of South America.

Habitat: Lagoon edges, floodplains, swamps, and marshes.

Habits: A crepuscular, aquatic species. It is sociable and may be spotted in high concentrations.

Diet: Herbivore, feeding off of grasses.

Breeding: It lays its eggs in a nest built on the ground, in small grass bushes.

In the UFRA area: In the studies conducted at the São Francisco Sugarmill areas, this species was spotted 18 times. It was seen in 6 of the 10 studied habitats, such as organic sugarcane plantations, wetlands with riparian forests, restored native forests, native forests, drainage ditches, and in fields in spontaneous regeneration. Broad spatial distribution.