Black-and-yellow Phainoptila
The black-and-yellow phainoptila or black-and-yellow silky-flycatcher (Phainoptila melanoxantha) is a species of bird in the family Ptiliogonatidae, the silky-flycatchers. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama. == Taxonomy and systematics == The black-and-yellow phainoptila is the only member of its genus, but its further taxonomy is unresolved. The IOC, the Clements taxonomy, AviList, and the American Ornithological Society assign it two subspecies, the nominate P. m. melanoxantha (Salvin, 1877) and P. m. parkeri (Barrantes & Sánchez, JE, 2000). However, as of late 2025 BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World includes a third, P. m. minor. The IOC and AviList call the species black-and-yellow phainoptila and the others call it the black-and-yellow silky-flycatcher. The generic name Phainoptila is derived from the Greek and means "shining plumage". == Description == The black-and-yellow phainoptila is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. It weighs an average of 60 g (2.1 oz). It is a heavy-bodied bird with a wide rounded tail. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a black head, back, wings, and tail. Their rump is bright yellow. Their throat is black, their breast olive-green, the center of their belly gray, and the rest of their belly, sides…
Chirripó National Park
Rivas, Costa Rica
+132 birds+30 mammals
Where the Central American spine rises above the clouds, granite peaks puncture a realm of perpetual mist and montane forest. […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKVolcán Poás National Park
Toro Amarillo, Costa Rica
+132 birds+30 mammals
Where volcanic peaks pierce the Costa Rican highlands, a landscape of primordial drama unfolds. The Poás volcano dominates this 6,506-hectare […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKBaru Volcano National Park
Cerro Punta, Panama
+146 birds+16 mammals
Where mist clings to volcanic slopes and cloud forest canopy rises above 3,500 metres, Panama’s highest peak dominates a landscape […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKNo community photos yet. Log in to add the first one.
No community observations of this species yet.