Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies
Contopus sordidulus
The Western Wood-Pewee is a small, unassuming flycatcher of western North American woodlands, often identified by its distinctive voice. These grayish-brown birds are adept aerial insectivores, frequently sallying from exposed perches to catch prey. Though visually similar to its eastern counterpart, its vocalizations are key to distinguishing this species.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
Dull olive-gray to grayish-brown on the upperparts, with lighter underparts that have an olive wash on the breast.
Two faint, whitish wing bars are typically present, though they can be indistinct.
The bill is dark, often with a paler or dull orange base to the lower mandible.
Often perches upright on exposed branches, giving it a somewhat tall appearance.
02 / A place in the world
This species favors open woodlands, forest edges, and forests near streams, ranging from sea level up to approximately 3000 meters (10,000 feet) in elevation. They often utilize areas with larger trees, open understories, and standing dead trees.
The Western Wood-Pewee breeds across western North America, from eastern Alaska through western and central regions of the continent, extending south to Honduras. It winters primarily in northern South America, particularly in the Andes to Bolivia.
A long-distance migrant, the Western Wood-Pewee travels from its breeding grounds in North America to wintering grounds in northern South America. Migration occurs in spring (late April/May) and fall (August/September to mid-October).
03 / Listen a little closer
The most common call is a burry, descending 'pee-eer'. They also have a dawn song, a 'peee-pip-pip' interspersed with the 'pee-er' call, and a short, rough 'brrt' call.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Its diet consists almost entirely of insects, primarily flying insects. This includes various flies, wasps, bees, winged ants, beetles, moths, and bugs. Occasionally, it may consume a few berries.
Western Wood-Pewees are 'sit-and-wait' predators, perching on exposed branches and sallying out to catch flying insects in mid-air. They frequently return to the same or a nearby perch after capturing prey.
The female constructs a compact, cup-shaped nest of plant fibers, grasses, and bark, bound with spiderweb and camouflaged with mosses. Nests are typically saddled in a fork of a horizontal branch, often away from the trunk, in various tree species.
During the breeding season, these birds form monogamous pairs. They are vigilant around the nest, with the female often shading young and both parents defending against intruders by bill-clapping and chasing. They are solitary during migration and on wintering grounds.
One more reason to pay attention
The scientific name *Contopus sordidulus* refers to its relatively short feet and dusky, or 'dirty,' plumage.
Western Wood-Pewees are suboscine birds, meaning their songs are innate rather than learned.
The oldest recorded Western Wood-Pewee lived to be at least 8 years and 1 month old.
05 / An eye for the difference
Visually nearly identical; best distinguished by voice. The Western's call is a burry 'pee-eer', while the Eastern's is a clearer 'pee-ah-wee'.
Willow Flycatchers are generally smaller, often lack a distinct eye-ring (though some *Empidonax* do), and have shorter wingtips.
Olive-sided Flycatchers are noticeably larger and typically have more prominent dark markings on their sides, resembling an open vest.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.