Rufous mourner

{{Short description|Species of bird}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Rufous mourner

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=Rhytipterna holerythra |volume=2016 |page=e.T22700373A93771561 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22700373A93771561.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}

| image = Rufous Mourner - Panama H8O0032.jpg

| genus = Rhytipterna

| species = holerythra

| authority = (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1860)

| range_map = Rhytipterna holerythra map.svg

}}

The rufous mourner (Rhytipterna holerythra) is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from southwestern Mexico to northwestern Ecuador. It was formerly believed to be a cotinga, but well-supported anatomical evidence has shown it to be related to tyrant flycatchers of the genera Myiarchus, Sirystes and Casiornis.Scholes (2004)

The rufous mourner is {{cvt|20|cm}} long and weighs {{cvt|40|g}}. Its plumage is entirely rufous, brighter on the underparts, and with darker brown wings. The base of the bill is pink or horn-coloured. The call is a drawling {{not a typo|way teeer}} and the song is {{not a typo|wee hi hi weeur-weeur-weeur}}.

This bird is found in lowlands and foothills up to {{cvt|1200|m}} altitude in wet forests, adjacent old second growth, semi-open areas and shady plantations. The rufous mourner is seen alone, in family groups or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock. It perches on a twig from which it sallies forth to catch large insects and caterpillars and many seeds and fruit.E.g. of gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba), and less frequently from Cymbopetalum mayanum (Annonaceae): Foster (2007) Usually, the food is taken in flight.

It nests in tree cavities, especially old woodpecker holes. It may also nest in holes in earth banks.