Natural History of Ecuador's Mainland Avifauna (NHEMA).

a project of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group
Philohydor lictor, Lesser Kiskadee

Family Tyrannidae, Order Passeriformes
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This page was created by Paul R. Martin and Harold F. Greeney in 2005. It is updated periodically and should be cited in the manner outlined on the NHEMA species list page.

Abstract:

The Lesser Kiskadee inhabits open lowland habitat near water, where it searches for prey from low perches. Birds are often seen sallying out to pluck or chase insects from floating and shoreline vegetation. Early descriptions of the nest were controversial owing to confusion surrounding identification of the species. Despite sharing a name and general coloration with the widespread Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, song, behavior, and nest stucture of the two species are entirely different.

Relevant publications:

Cruz, A., & R. W. Andrews. 1989. Observations on the breeding biology of passerines in a seasonally flooded savanna in Venezuela. Wilson Bulletin 101:62-76.

Dyrcz, A. 2000. Observations at nests of the Lesser Kiskadee (Philohydor lictor) on Barro Colorado Island (Republic of Panama). Ornitologia Neotropical 11:359-362.

Fitzpatrick, J. W. 1980. Foraging behavior of Neotropical tyrant flycatchers. Condor 82:43-57.

Haverschmidt, F. 1961. Nests of Empidonomus varius, Pitangus lictor, and Myiozetetes cayanensis. Auk 78:276-278.

Smith, W. J. 1962. The nest of Pitangus lictor. Auk 79:108-111.

Willis, E. O. 1962. Another nest of Pitangus lictor. Auk 79:111.

Ecuadorian breeding dates:

DATE

LOCATION

STAGE

SOURCE of data

5 August 2005

Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador (220 m)

Incubation

P.R. Martin unpubl.

Photographs:

Eggs of P. lictor

Eggs of P. lictor, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Photo by P.R. Martin.

Nest and eggs of P. lictor, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Photo by P.R. Martin.

Nest of P. lictor

Nest of P. lictor (side view), 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Photo by P.R. Martin.

Nest of P. lictor (view from below), 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Photo by P.R. Martin.

Additional photographs of nest site and P. lictor

P. lictor nest in palm tree, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. Lower arrow points to the active nest (2 eggs), while the upper arrow points to a nest not presently in use. 6 August 2005. Photo by P.R. Martin.

Adult P. lictor shading eggs, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Photo by Becky Lewis

Short movie of P. lictor

Click below

P lictor.mov
Movie of adult P. lictor shading eggs, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Ecuador. 5 August 2005. Movie by Becky Lewis
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