Suiriri Flycatcher Suiriri suiriri Scientific name definitions

Of very widespread distribution across the eastern half of South America, mainly from northeast Brazil (and locally even further north) to the Bolivian Andes and northeastern Argentina, this flycatcher poses a complex taxonomic issue. Only recently was the cryptically-plumaged Chapada Flycatcher (Suiriri islerorum) appreciated to be a different species and described accordingly, while the status of some of the subspecies currently placed within the Suiriri Flycatcher remain open to further questions. This inhabitant of chaco woodland, cerrado, and other open areas is often fairly common and is easily identified, especially by voice, despite its unremarkable plumage. It principally feeds on insects and small fruits, which are usually gleaned while perched. The nest is cup-shaped and three eggs constitute a typical clutch. Some post-breeding movements have been reported, but their geographical scope, and their frequency, remains to be elucidated.

15·5–16 cm; 11·5–16 g (nominate), 18·5–21 g (burmeisteri). Nominate race is mostly grey on crown and back , small white supraloral spot and short supercilium ; wings and tail darker, distinct greyish-white wing­bars and edges of secondaries, rectrices with pale outer webs and conspicuous pale tips; entirely whitish below, somewhat darker on breast; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed. Race <em>burmeisteri</em> is slightly larger and longer-billed, more olive on back, wing markings more yellowish, paler buffy-yellowish rump and base of tail, throat white, breast pale grey, lower belly and crissum pale yellow; <em>bahiae</em> is very similar to previous, but rump and tail base brownish, not pale.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Chaco and open woodland; to 3000 m all year in Bolivian Andes. Race burmeisteri restricted to open cerrado and campo with scattered tall shrubs (“campo sujo”).

Some post-breeding movement to lowland areas in E Bolivia. Nominate race recorded during Aug in Minas Gerais (Brazil), probably a migrant.

Arthropods; also small fruits, e.g. of Curatella americana. Perch-gleans items directly from leaf and branch surfaces, hover-gleaning less frequent; aerial hawking for arthropods, by sallying 1–2 m from crown of trees, also less frequent. Recorded as flying 1–3 m from tree down to ground in order to feed on arthropods, especially in recently burnt or very open areas. Less active forager than S. affinis.

Paired male and female of race burmeisteri give different songs in simultaneous duets, male a series of sneezy “pi-chew” notes, variable in length, typically begins with several squeaky notes and ends with several monosyllabic “chew” notes, female a series of loud, squeaky notes similar in quality to introductory notes of male song but higher in frequency and amplitude and more widely spaced, typically decelerating at end; female also gives variety of single-note contact calls that are nasal and have “whiny” quality. All known vocalizations of bahiae apparently homologous to nominate , and neither race well documented vocally; most common vocalization a single nasal “rowl” or “jyow”.

Oct–Dec in Argentina. Cup-nest constructed of wool, spiderwebs and lichen, external diameter 7 cm, internal diameter 4 cm, height 4–6 cm, internal depth 2·5–3·5 cm, placed 3–6·5 m above ground in tree fork. Clutch 3 eggs; incubation and fledging periods not documented. Brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) recorded.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon to fairly common. Occurs in numerous protected areas, including: Sipaliwini Savanna Nature Reserve, in Surinam; Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and Beni Biosphere Reserve, in Bolivia; San Luis National Park, in Paraguay; Brasília and Serra da Canastra National Parks and EMBRAPA Experimental Station, all in Brazil; and San Juan de Poriahú Private Reserve (in Iberá Provincial Reserve), in Argentina. Large-scale conversion of dry forest and grassland to agriculture is causing significant decline of habitat across Cerrado and Chaco biomes. Greatest threats are posed by conversion for eucalypt (Eucalyptus) and pine (Pinus) plantations, livestock farming, and large-scale cultivation of soybeans, rice and other exportable crops; outside protected areas few undisturbed tracts remain, and these may soon be degraded by spreading fires and overgrazing, or completely disappear through agricultural expansion. Repeated annual burning of cerrado during dry season threatens this habitat; nevertheless, the species has been found in cerrado after burning, suggesting some tolerance of frequent fires.