La Sagra's flycatcher is a passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Cuba, the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman in the West Indies and as a vagrant to Alabama and Florida.
Region
West Indies (Cuba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands)
Typical Environment
Found across much of Cuba, the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman, inhabiting dry to semi-humid forests, pine woodlands, scrub, and mangroves. It is common along forest edges, in second-growth, and in gardens and plantations where scattered trees provide perches. On Grand Cayman it favors dry limestone woodland and edges. It occasionally disperses or is blown to Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast as a vagrant. The species uses tree cavities broadly for nesting within its range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
La Sagra's flycatcher is a small tyrant flycatcher native to the West Indies, particularly Cuba, the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman. It nests in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes, and readily uses nest boxes when available. The species often perches conspicuously and makes short sallies to catch insects, returning to the same perch repeatedly. It is an occasional vagrant to Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast after storms.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with sallying flights from exposed perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs that defend breeding territories. Nests in tree cavities, including old woodpecker holes and nest boxes, lining them with plant fibers and other soft material. Clutch size is small, and both parents participate in feeding the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of clear, whistled phrases and sharp, emphatic calls. The song is simple but penetrating, often a plaintive, descending whistle repeated from an exposed perch.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a grayish head and breast, pale yellow belly, and rufous tones in the tail and primaries; two faint pale wingbars.
Diet
Primarily feeds on flying and gleaned insects such as beetles, flies, and orthopterans, taken during short sallies from a perch. It also picks prey from foliage and bark. Small amounts of berries or other soft fruits may be consumed, especially outside the peak insect season.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, open woodlands, scrub, mangroves, and human-modified areas with scattered trees and perches. Often hunts from mid-level to canopy-height perches, returning repeatedly to favored lookout spots.
