Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii · Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies
The Willow Flycatcher is a small, drab songbird found across North America, best identified by its distinctive voice. It was once considered the same species as the Alder Flycatcher, known collectively as "Traill's Flycatcher," due to their nearly identical appearance. These two species were officially split in 1973, with voice being the most reliable way to distinguish them in the field.
Explore the full field guideMigratorySmall songbirdDistinctive voiceInsectivorous
2 calls·first heard Sep 16·last 24d ago
When it's heardpeak 5a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Brownish-olive above with a slight yellowish wash on the belly and a whitish throat.
- Features two whitish wingbars, which can be conspicuous. Juveniles have buff or yellowish-brown wingbars.
- Unlike many other Empidonax flycatchers, it has a very thin or nearly absent eye-ring.
- Possesses a relatively large bill with a completely pale lower mandible.