The Systematic Position of the Cocos Flycatcher

Abstract

The Cocos flycatcher (N. ridgwayi), traditionally allied with Myiarchus, was recently placed in another subfamily, Fluvicolinae, near Empidonax and Cnemotriccus. A comparative study of the skull and syrinx demonstrates that the nearest relatives of Nesotriccus are Phaeomyias murina and Capsiempis flaveola in the subfamily Elaeniinae, since all 3 genera share unique derived character states of the nasal septum and of the supporting elements of the syrinx.