The dark pewee is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It is endemic to the Talamancan montane forests of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Region
Talamanca Mountains (Costa Rica and western Panama)
Typical Environment
Confined to humid montane and cloud forests of the Cordillera de Talamanca and adjacent highlands, including the Chiriquí area in western Panama. It favors forest edges, canopy gaps, and clearings with tall emergent perches, and also uses adjacent second growth. Birds often sit on exposed snags or high branches from which they launch flycatching sallies. It can occur along ridgelines, forested roadsides, and near montane pastures bordered by forest.
Altitude Range
1200–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The dark pewee is a highland tyrant flycatcher that perches conspicuously and sallies out to snatch flying insects. It is notably darker and duskier than similar pewees, which helps separate it from Tropical Pewee at elevation. Its range is restricted to the Talamanca highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it is a characteristic voice of cloud forests. Despite its limited range, it is not currently considered at risk.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies from high perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered alone or in pairs during the breeding season, maintaining small territories centered on reliable perches. Nests are open cups placed on horizontal branches, often well above ground and camouflaged with moss and fibers. Parental care is shared, with both adults defending the nest area.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, plaintive whistled series, often descending, delivered at intervals from an exposed perch. Also gives sharp, dry 'pip' or 'pee' notes, especially during territorial displays at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Overall sooty to dusky brown with a slightly paler grayish throat and breast; wings show faint, narrow pale wing bars. Feathers appear matte rather than glossy, giving a uniformly dark look. Slightly peaked crown typical of pewees.
Diet
Primarily flying insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, and moths, taken in mid-air during short sallies. It occasionally gleans from foliage or bark when prey is spotted nearby. Small berries may be taken opportunistically, especially in cooler or wetter periods when insects are less active.
Preferred Environment
Hunts from exposed perches along forest edges, canopy gaps, and ridgelines in humid montane forest. Often uses high snags or dead branches that provide wide aerial views for spotting passing insects.
