Boat-Billed Flycatcher
Megarynchus pitangua
About This Species
A large, big-headed flycatcher of open woodland edges and clearings from Mexico through South America, usually spotted perched conspicuously on an exposed branch before sallying out after large flying insects. Its loud, chattering call and heavy black-and-white striped head pattern make it easy to identify once heard or seen well. Mornings are the most active feeding period, and it is present year-round through much of its range, so there is no narrow seasonal window to plan around.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A respectful distance of 15 to 20 metres is enough to watch normal perching and hunting behaviour without causing it to relocate.
- Protections for native birds vary considerably across the many countries within its range, from strict nest-disturbance laws to more limited enforcement, so treat any nest or roost site with the same caution you would apply to a legally protected species.
- Staying on trails and avoiding playback calls near a nest reduces stress during breeding.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
642,539 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
(c) Ken Chamberlain, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ken Chamberlain
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.