Piratic Flycatcher

14 cm. Resembles /Empidonomus varius in general coloration. Bill short, thin. Crown dusky-brown with a semi-concealed yellow crown patch and a whitish-gray superciliary stripe. Dark malar streak. Otherwise dark brown above with dusky streaks. Wings and tail dusky. Whitish throat and breast, the breast with indistinct dusky streaks. Pale yellow on the belly. Easily identified by its characteristic voice, a repeated "witidiw<DD>....wi-i......wititid<DD>....wi-i.... ", also "w<DD> w<DD> w<DD>....". A series of high whistles continued for a long time "wi..wi..wi..wi..wi..wi..wi..wi..wi..wi.." and so forth listen to ^115 . Usually perches high on top or on the outward branches of trees. A mainly frugivorous generalist which also engages in aerial hawks and less in other kinds of foraging behavior ^74 . Its occurrence generally indicates the presence of a cacique colony where it usurps the nests ^30 . Takes away nests from other flycatchers and caciques. Common, but local at forest edge and border of clearings with tall trees. Throughout. Mostly near sea level, but up to 1000 meters. 13048 Calls, Iguape, 10<10>22<10>93. Sunny, 25<91>C. Open swamp with some dead trees. With /Buteo magnirostris .: 3239 Calls. Fazenda Capricornio near Ubatuba, 11<10>21<10>98. Cloudy, 20<91>C. Forest border. With chatter of pair of /Myiodynastes maculatus .: 9613 Calls. Cornell Cat 22076<10>19314. Turvo Forest Reserve, Rio Grande do Sul, 10<10>17<10>75. With /Vireo olivaceus, Chiroxiphia caudata, Pachyramphus polychopterus, Schiffornis virescens . Recording by W. Belton.: 6104 Calls. Iguape, 11<10>27<10>97. Cloudy, 28<91>C. With /Pitangus sulphuratus, Pachyramphus polychopterus, Cyclarhis gujanensis, Carpornis cucullatus .: 652 >: 4284 >: