High in the Costa Rican mountains, amidst the verdant tapestry of the cloud forest, a flash of orange catches your eye. It’s the Tufted Flycatcher, a tiny dynamo with a surprising crest and an even bigger appetite for insects.

This little wonder, scientifically known as Mitrephanes phaeocercus aurantiiventris, is a member of the tyrant flycatcher family. But don’t let the name fool you – they’re more acrobatic insectivores than ruthless rulers.

A Distinctive Appearance

The Tufted Flycatcher is a sight to behold. At just 12 cm long, it’s one of our smaller birds. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in personality.

• The Crest: The namesake feature is the pointed crest of olive-green feathers that adorns its head. It’s almost like a miniature Viking helmet, constantly perked up in alert curiosity.
• Color Splash: The upper parts of the Tufted Flycatcher are a beautiful olive-green, while the wings and tail are a sleek black. But the true stars of the show are the underparts. The breast bursts with a vibrant ochre-orange, fading to a bright yellow on the belly. This vibrant color combination makes them stand out amidst the lush foliage.
• Similar But Different: The male and female Tufted Flycatchers look quite similar. Youngsters, however, are a little different. They have brownish upperparts with buff fringes, orange wing bars, and paler underparts.

Life in the Mountains

The Tufted Flycatcher is a resident of the Costa Rican highlands. They prefer the cooler temperatures and abundant insect life found in the cloud forests. Here, they flit from perch to perch, their sharp eyes scanning the lush undergrowth for unsuspecting prey.

• Perch Perfect: These little hunters are patient predators. They often stake out an open perch, like a twig or a bromeliad, waiting for their next meal to flit by. This technique, known as perch hunting, allows them to conserve energy while maximizing their chances of catching a tasty insect.
• The Tail Tell: When a fly or a beetle catches their eye, the Tufted Flycatcher springs into action. They launch themselves from their perch in a quick, agile burst, their tail often vibrating rapidly as they snatch their prey mid-air.
• A Vocal Bird: The Tufted Flycatcher isn’t shy about communicating. Their call is a sharp, buzzy “cheWEE cheWEE,” often used to defend their territory or attract a mate. They may also emit trilling songs, adding to the symphony of the mountain forest.

Seeing a Tufted Flycatcher

The Tufted Flycatcher is a fairly common sight in the higher elevations of Costa Rica. Here at our mountain retreat, you have a good chance of spotting these little acrobats flitting through the trees around the lodge.

Here are some tips for getting a glimpse:

• Keep an eye out for small, brightly colored birds perched on branches or flitting from perch to perch.
• Listen for their calls. The buzzy “cheWEE cheWEE” is a good indicator of their presence.
• Early mornings and late afternoons are often the best times to see them actively hunting.

With a little patience and a keen eye, you might just be lucky enough to witness the Tufted Flycatcher in action. These tiny hunters, with their vibrant colors and impressive aerial skills, are a true wonder of the Costa Rican mountains.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

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