This is bird note.

Not just any songbird can take on a monkey or a falcon, but an unusual fly catcher called

the Great Kiskity faces these predators head on, sometimes even riding on the back of

a falcon for a few seconds to drive them off.

Bright yellow below with a brown back, the Kiskity's head is boldly striped in black and

white.

This call announces its name.

From a perch above a stream, the Kiskity swoops low over the water, definitely grabbing

a minnow with its bill.

Of the hundreds of species of fly catchers, most mainly eat insects.

The Great Kiskity eats insects too, but has adapted to a broader diet that includes lizards,

snakes and fruit.

If you feed your dog outside, it will even help itself to their food.

Chunky and Robin-sized, Kiskities live along wooded edges near water all the way from South

Texas to Argentina.

There are familiar sight around rural towns and villages.

Other species of birds may even choose to nest in the same tree with a pair of Kiskities

to benefit from the bold defensive behavior of this unconventional fly catcher.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

Did you know you can listen to Bird Note in your podcast app?

Subscribe to Bird Note Daily and never miss an episode.