Panama Flycatcher

Myiarchus panamensis

eBird provides this description for the Panama Flycatcher:  This Myiarchus flycatcher is extremely similar to other members of its genus. Look for the dull brown wings; there is no warm rufous tone at all. It’s a fairly large flycatcher with a rather large bill that usually perches upright. The head has a slight crested appearance. Brown back, paler gray throat, and yellow belly typical of this genus. Usually seen singly or in pairs in shrubby woodlands or open forests, and especially around mangroves. Listen for voice, a descending series of whistles: “pee-pee-pee-pee-pee-pee-pee-pee”.

The Birds of the World website introduces the Panama Flycatcher with the following descriptive information:  The Panama Flycatcher is a Middle American Myiarchus that closely resembles several congeners.  Ranging from Costa Rica and Panama south to western Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, the species inhabits clearings and other shrubby open areas below 600 meters in elevation.  This is a typical Myiarchus in that it is lanky, crested, and stout-billed, gray-brown above and pale yellow on the belly; vocal characteristics are useful in identifying this and other members of this confusing genus.  The Panama Flycatcher has a call that is a mournful, two-part, descending whistle that has a snappy quality to it.  Previously, the species was considered to be within the Short-crested Flycatcher complex.

I met my first Panama Flycatcher on the afternoon of February 10, 2023, as our small tour group was walking a road on the way to our boat tour.  I got a pretty good look at this bird and am delighted to add it to my life list.