In the wetlands and mangrove fringes of Panama, a small but bold bird catches the eye, its striking black-and-white plumage standing out against the soft greens and browns of its marshy home. The Pied Water Tyrant (Fluvicola pica), a lively resident of the region, may be diminutive at just 13.5 cm long and weighing only around 13 grams, but it commands attention with both its appearance and its energetic behavior.

Adults are predominantly white, with a striking contrast of black on the nape, back, wings, and tail. The female resembles the male, though often with a touch of brown mixed with the black—a subtle distinction in the otherwise monochromatic plumage. Immature birds display brown where adults have black, creating a softer, more cryptic version of the adult’s striking colors.

But it is the fluttering “butterfly” display flight that makes this bird truly captivating. With a rapid and erratic up-and-down motion, the Pied Water Tyrant flits through the air, its wings beating in a mesmerizing flutter. This display flight is not just a spectacle for birdwatchers; it is a key part of the bird's territorial and mating behaviors. The kite-like aerial dance draws attention from potential mates and rivals alike.

A distinctive nasal “djweeooo” call accompanies the Pied Water Tyrant’s presence, echoing across Panama’s mangroves and wetland savannahs (Xeno-canto.org). The bird also has a characteristic habit of bobbing up and down when perched, emphasizing its energetic nature and the liveliness it brings to the marshes and swamps of Panama.

Thriving in the marshy edges of mangrove swamps and savannahs, the Pied Water Tyrant is a perfect example of the adaptability and dynamism of Panama’s avian species, a bird that both enchants and intrigues those lucky enough to observe its flight and behavior.

Sources:

• Ridgely, R. S., & Gwynne, J. A. (1989). A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press.

• Hilty, S. L. (2021). Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press.

• BirdLife International. (2023). Species factsheet: Fluvicola pica.https://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22724303

• Restall, R., Rodner, C., & Lentino, M. (2006). Birds of Northern South America: An Identification Guide. Yale University Press.

• Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds. Knopf.

• Xeno-canto Foundation. Fluvicola pica recordings and call descriptions.https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Fluvicola-pica

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