Rufous-tailed Flycatcher Myiarchus validus Scientific name definitions

This large flycatcher is fairly widespread throughout Jamaica, where it is an endemic. While many Myiarchus can present an identification problem, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is fairly distinctive and straighforward: its large size, extensive rufous on the remiges, and extensive pink (the entire basal half) of the bill are all unique features within its range. This species' loud and raucous vocalizations are heard more easily than the bird itself is seen. However, when seen, this bird can act comletely oblivious to the observer, making extended, close views possible, and earning it the local name "big tom fool". The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher can be seen in a variety of habitats, but is more common at middle and high elevations.

24 cm; 38·6–43·2 g (1 Steadman, D.W., Olson, S.L., Barber, J.C., Meister, C.A. and Melvill, M.E. (1980). Weights of some West Indian birds. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. 100(2): 155–158. Close ). Has crown smoky brown with, at most, faintly darker feather centres; face and lores slaty greyer; upperparts dull olive, contrasting with darker crown, uppertail-coverts tinged rufous; outer webs of primaries and secondaries with broad (c. 2 mm) band of rufous, tertials have broader (3 mm) band on outer webs and with inner webs almost wholly suffused with rufous (some darker brown only on proximal parts of webs), greater and median wing-coverts broadly tipped rufous (wing appears mainly rufous when bird perched); all rectrices except central pair mostly rufous, with darker brown confined to thin band adjacent to and running along length of rachis, outer webs of central rectrices paler, outermost rectrix almost entirely rufous except for narrow band of darker brown adjacent to rachis on distal half; throat and breast dark grey and abdomen and undertail-coverts yellow, but strong greyish wash on upper breast (making demarcation between breast and abdomen indistinct); tibial feathering olive-brown, underwing-coverts rufous; iris dark, bill dark with paler base to lower mandible, inside of mouth bright orange, legs dark. Distinguished from M. barbirostris and M. stolidus by generally rufous wings, larger size. Sexes similar. Juvenile has whitish underparts.

Jamaica.