Alder Flycatcher
From WikiBird
Contents |
Size
Length: ??cm (??in), Wingspan: ??cm (??in)
Field Marks
Adults have olive-brown upperparts, browner on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have a white eye ring, white wing bars, a small bill and a short tail. The breast is washed with olive-grey. The upper part of the bill is grey; the lower part is orangish. At one time, this bird was considered to be the same species as the very similar Willow Flycatcher. Formerly conspecific with Willow Flycatcher and called Traill's Flycatcher
Similar species
The empidonax flycatchers are very difficult to tell apart. The safest way to differentiate them is by habitat, range, and voice in the breeding season. Differences in plumage due to molt, wear and age make the plumage quite variable. This species is extremely similar to the Willow Flycatcher and was once considered the same species. It often has a more noticeable eye ring and more olive upperparts, however, most individuals cannot be identified by sight. Acadian and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers tend to be greener above and yellower below than the Alder Flycatcher. Least Flycatcher is grayer above, shorter-tailed and smaller. Western United States empidonax flycatchers (Dusky, Gray, Hammond's) have mostly dark lower mandibles and more obvious eye rings. Hammond's has a darker breast and grayer throat. Gray is rangier and grayer. Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers have oval eye rings.
Sounds
This bird's song is a wheezed wee-bee. The call is a quick preet.
Feeding & Behavior
They wait on a perch near the top of a shrub and fly out to catch insects in flight, also sometimes picking insects from foliage while hovering. They may eat some berries and seeds.
Habitat & Nesting
Their breeding habitat is deciduous thickets, often alders or willows, near water. They make a cup nest low in a vertical fork in a shrub. Winter habitat usually near water.
Range
Breeds across Canada, Alaska and the northeastern United States. Migrates to South America.
Resources
