The great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) and the social flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) are two similar looking bird species found in parts of Central and South America. At a glance, they appear almost identical – medium-sized songbirds with yellow bellies, black wings and tails, and strongly hooked beaks. However, there are several key differences between these two flycatcher species when observed more closely.
In this article, we will compare and contrast the great kiskadee and the social flycatcher. We will examine their taxonomy, physical characteristics, distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, mating and reproduction. Understanding the similarities and differences between these two birds can help with proper identification and appreciation of their unique qualities.
Taxonomy
The great kiskadee and social flycatcher both belong to the family Tyrannidae, the largest family of birds in the New World suboscines clade. This family contains over 400 species of tyrant flycatchers found exclusively in the Americas.
More specifically, the great kiskadee is placed in the genus Pitangus while the social flycatcher is in the genus Myiozetetes. Both genera belong to the tyrant flycatcher tribe Tyrannini within the Tyrannidae family. However, Pitangus and Myiozetetes are distinct genera with several differentiating features.
The scientific name for the great kiskadee is Pitangus sulphuratus while the social flycatcher is known as Myiozetetes similis. The genus and species names help distinguish these as separate groups within Tyrannidae.
Summary of Taxonomy
| Scientific Name | Great Kiskadee | Social Flycatcher |
| Genus | Pitangus | Myiozetetes |
| Species | sulphuratus | similis |
| Family | Tyrannidae | |
Physical Characteristics
The great kiskadee and social flycatcher share some similar physical traits but can be distinguished from each other in several ways:
Size
The great kiskadee is larger, measuring 19-21 cm long with a 30-36 cm wingspan. The social flycatcher is smaller at 15-17 cm in length and a wingspan of 22-25 cm.
Plumage
Both birds have yellow underparts, dark brown wings and tail, and a pale crown. However, the great kiskadee has a more saturated yellow belly while the social flycatcher’s belly is a paler lemon color.
The great kiskadee’s wings are blackish-brown while the social flycatcher has darker gray-brown wings. The great kiskadee also has rufous fringes on the wings.
The great kiskadee has a gray nape connecting the pale crown to the yellow breast. The social flycatcher has a more distinct separation between the crown and breast colors.
Beak Shape
The great kiskadee has a much thicker, heavier bill with a distinct hook at the end. The social flycatcher has a smaller and more slender bill.
Eye Color
The great kiskadee has dark brown eyes while the social flycatcher has red eyes.
Summary of Physical Differences
| Feature | Great Kiskadee | Social Flycatcher |
| Size | 19-21 cm long 30-36 cm wingspan |
15-17 cm long 22-25 cm wingspan |
| Plumage | Saturated yellow underparts Blackish-brown wings Rufous wing fringes Gray nape |
Pale lemon underparts Dark gray-brown wings No wing fringes Abrupt crown-to-breast |
| Beak | Thick, heavy Strongly hooked |
Slender, smaller Less hooked |
| Eyes | Dark brown | Red |
Distribution and Habitat
The great kiskadee and social flycatcher have overlapping but distinct distribution ranges in Central and South America:
Great Kiskadee
The great kiskadee has a very wide distribution range extending from southern Texas in the USA through Mexico and Central America. Their range covers much of South America including Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and the Caribbean islands.
They occupy a diverse range of open and semi-open habitats including savannas, grasslands, scrublands, open woodlands, gardens, parks and agricultural areas. They are found from sea level up to elevations of 3000 m.
Social Flycatcher
The social flycatcher has a more southerly distribution, ranging from central Mexico to northern Argentina and Chile. They are also found on several Caribbean islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Their preferred habitat is more specialized than the great kiskadee. Social flycatchers inhabit semi-open wooded areas including forest edges, galleries, plantations, parks and gardens. They occur at lower elevations, usually below 2000 m.
Range Comparison
| Species | Range | Elevation | Habitat |
| Great Kiskadee | Southern USA to Argentina | Sea level to 3000m | Open and semi-open areas |
| Social Flycatcher | Mexico to Argentina | Below 2000m | Semi-open woodlands |
So while these species share parts of their range, the great kiskadee occupies a wider distribution and elevation range compared to the social flycatcher’s more restricted range.
Diet
The diets of the great kiskadee and social flycatcher share some similarities but also have subtle differences:
Great Kiskadee Diet
Great kiskadees are omnivorous and opportunistic, eating a wide variety of prey. Their main diet consists of large insects including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, dragonflies and butterflies.
They also frequently feed on small lizards, amphibians, fish, rodents and eggs stolen from nests. Small birds are sometimes preyed upon as well.
Great kiskadees utilize a sit-and-wait hunting strategy from an exposed perch, swooping down to catch prey on the ground or in flight. They also forage among grass and foliage searching for food.
Social Flycatcher Diet
The social flycatcher is also an omnivore, feeding on insects and some small vertebrates. However, they take a higher proportion of insects compared to the great kiskadee.
Their insect prey consists mainly of bees, wasps, ants, beetles and grasshoppers. They also eat spiders and caterpillars. Vertebrates are limited to small frogs, lizards and occasional nestlings.
Unlike the great kiskadee, the social flycatcher more frequently catches insects on the wing via aerial hawking maneuvers. They also glean foliage and branches for hiding insects.
Comparison of Feeding Habits
| Species | Great Kiskadee | Social Flycatcher |
| Diet | More varied diet Larger insects, lizards, eggs, small vertebrates |
Mainly insects Smaller insect prey |
| Hunting | Sit-and-wait perched hunting Foraging in grass and foliage |
Aerial flycatching Gleaning on vegetation |
The great kiskadee has a broader, more predatory diet while the social flycatcher focuses on smaller insect prey and has different hunting tactics.
Behavior and Sociality
The great kiskadee exhibits a bold, brash demeanor and is highly territorial and noisy. In contrast, the social flycatcher has a more reserved, quieter disposition:
Great Kiskadee Behavior
– Gregarious and loud, with high energy level
– Forms small flocks, breeding pairs defend territory aggressively
– Mob intruders with loud calls and dive attacks
– Communal roosting at night in groups
– Sedentary across most of range, partial migrant in cooler areas
Social Flycatcher Behavior
– Usually solitary or in pairs, not highly social
– Does not aggressively defend territory
– Generally quiet, reserved manner
– Roosts alone or in pairs, not communal
– Mostly a long-distance migrant across its range
Personality Comparison
| Trait | Great Kiskadee | Social Flycatcher |
| Disposition | Gregarious | Solitary |
| Vocalizations | Noisy and loud | Mostly quiet |
| Territoriality | Highly aggressive | Non-aggressive |
| Social Roosting | Communal | Alone or in pairs |
| Migratory Pattern | Partially migrant | Long-distance migrant |
The gregarious, bold nature of the great kiskadee contrasts sharply with the solitary, unobtrusive social flycatcher.
Breeding and Reproduction
The great kiskadee and social flycatcher have some similar breeding behaviors, but also distinct differences:
Great Kiskadee Breeding
– Breeding season varies across range but peaks March-June, can breed almost year-round
– Monogamous pairs defend breeding territory
– Bulky nest built from twigs and grass, lined with softer materials
– Nest often near water or human habitation, reused for subsequent broods
– Typical clutch 4-5 eggs, incubated 15-18 days by female
– Both parents feed nestlings, fledging in about 3 weeks
– Often double brooded, raising 2-3 broods per season
Social Flycatcher Breeding
– Breeding season more restricted, roughly May-August
– Monogamous but little territoriality
– Smaller nest in tree or shrub cavity, cup-shaped
– Clutch size 2-4 eggs, incubated by female 13-15 days
– Both parents provision young, fledging in 16-19 days
– Normally single brooded, occasionally two broods
Comparison of Reproductive Traits
| Trait | Great Kiskadee | Social Flycatcher |
| Breeding Season | Prolonged, often year-round | Restricted season |
| Nest Site | Bulky, often near water | Cavity nest |
| Clutch Size | 4-5 eggs | 2-4 eggs |
| Broods per Season | Often 2-3 | 1-2 |
The great kiskadee exhibits greater breeding investment, with more nesting attempts, larger clutches and prolonged seasonal breeding.
Conclusion
In summary, the great kiskadee and social flycatcher exhibit a mix of similarities and differences across many aspects of their biology:
– Taxonomically, they belong to distinct genera in the Tyrannidae family
– Physically, the great kiskadee is larger with a heavier bill and darker plumage
– The great kiskadee shows wider habitat tolerance and distribution
– Both are omnivorous but the great kiskadee takes more vertebrate prey
– Behaviorally, the great kiskadee is bold and social while the social flycatcher is reserved
– Reproductively, the great kiskadee has higher investment with larger clutch sizes and more nesting attempts
So while superficially similar, detailed inspection reveals notable differences in size, structure, distribution, diet, behavior and breeding strategies between these two tyrant flycatchers. Proper identification means looking beyond plumage to consider their varied songs, calls, movements, habitats and other traits covered here. Appreciating their contrasts provides a better understanding of the diversity within the Tyrannidae family.
