Little Vermilion Flycatcher
Where to Look
- Santa Cruz Highlands
- Urbina Bay
Similar Galapagos Species
Galapagos Flycatcher
Identification
Bright red plumage of male diagnostic within the archipelago. Female similar to Galapagos flycatcher, but is smaller, has yellower underparts and lacks Galapagos Flycatcher’s crest.
Description
Male is bright red with a chockolate rown back, hind neck and eye stripe. Female has brown upperpartsand face, whitish throat and pale yellow underparts.
Galapagos Distribution
Occurs on most larger islands in the western half of the main archipelago. Absent from Rabida, Espanola, Baltra, San Cristobal, Espanola, Santa Fe and Genovesa.
Global Distribution
Endemic to the Galapagos.
Status in the Galapagos
An uncommon to rare endemic resident
Conservation
This species is rated as vulnerable due to its small breeding range and small population of between 2500 and 10000 individuals. It has undergone rapid population decline in recent years due to habitat destruction in highland areas by introduced rasberry plants which form dense thickets, reducing the number of open areas flycatchers can use to forage. Predation by introduced species such as rats are also a threat.