Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is a familiar species to anyone who has travelled through Central America or the northern regions of South America. Affectionately referred to as TK, little attention is paid to it due to its familiarity, but it is a very handsome bird indeed.
It is at home in a wide variety of habitats, often favouring sites close to water. It is almost exclusively insectivorous, with a marked preference for hymenopterans, dragonflies and butterflies. It will not pass up other insect prey, however, and at least some fruit is consumed.
Tropical Kingbirds sally forth from a perch to capture passing prey, generally preferring a high vantage point, although they can sometimes be seen on low fences.
Small insects are consumed in the air when captured but larger prey is taken back to a perch to be beaten against a branch before being eaten.
The second ubiquitous flycatcher is the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), a species with a wide range, extending from the southern United States (mainly Texas) through Central America and a good part of South America.
Kiskadees occupy a broad range of habitats and are well adapted to areas of human settlement. As opportunistic feeders they no doubt find urbanization advantageous in many instances.
The diet of this species is highly variable. It comprises mainly insects and fruit, but also includes small vertebrates including the nestlings of smaller species, lizards, snakes, fish, tadpoles, frogs and even small rodents. Fish are caught by plunge diving, much in the manner of a kingfisher.
The nest is a bulky, domed structure with a side entrance and we were fortunate to see this one on a utility pole at Caño Negro.
These are just two of the many fascinating species occurring in Costa Rica. I hope I have whetted your appetite for more to come.
