Bird
Bird
Tropical Pewee
Contopus cinereus
The Tropical Pewee is a small, plain flycatcher common at forest edge and clearings in Trinidad, easily overlooked among the island's many similar small tyrant flycatchers but readily identified by its simple, plaintive whistled call.
The Tropical Pewee is a small, plain flycatcher common at forest edge and clearings in Trinidad, easily overlooked among the island's many similar small tyrant flycatchers but readily identified by its simple, plaintive whistled call.
Identification
A small flycatcher around 13 to 14 cm long, with olive-brown upperparts, a darker crown, and pale greyish-olive underparts with a whitish throat. It lacks strong distinguishing marks, appearing rather plain and similar to several related pewee and elaenia species, and is most reliably identified by its distinctive, slightly descending whistled call.
Behaviour
Perches on an exposed low to mid-level branch at forest edge, clearings, and semi-open woodland, sallying out to catch flying insects and typically returning to the same perch, a classic "sit-and-wait" flycatching strategy. It is generally solitary or in pairs and vocalises frequently, particularly around dawn.
Status in T&T
Common in forest edge, clearings, and semi-open woodland across Trinidad at low to middle elevations. Not considered threatened, and tolerant of moderately disturbed habitat. It is protected as native wildlife under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.
