Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA#R places this species in a clade with M. yucatanensis, M. crinitus and M. cinerascens. Same study suggests that N Venezuelan, Colombian and Caribbean populations of present species may belong instead with M. nugator (itself formerly treated in present species), in which case correct name for that species would be M. erythrocercus, a name currently buried within synonymy of tyrannulus; remaining populations of South America would belong to a different clade (M. tyrannulus), while those of North and Central America would form a further species (M. cooperi) or even two (with split of M. magister); form brachyurus of Pacific Central America not included in analysis. Later study#R agreed broadly with these findings, but suggested that Middle American races of present species are sister to M. magnirostris, these together being sister to a group formed by South American races and M. nugator. Morphological diversity among all populations low, with island taxa cozumelae and insularum weakly differentiated. Nominate and bahiae reported to intergrade; possibility of any interaction/intergradation between cooperi and brachyurus in Honduras and El Salvador requires study. See also M. magnirostris. Seven subspecies currently recognized.