Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Pacific-slope Flycatcher, adult; Kern Co., CA; July

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A small yellowish flycatcher of shaded forests and streamsides, the Pacific-slope Flycatcher is found in the Pacific Coast states. It is nearly identical in appearance to the Cordilleran Flycatcher, and the two forms were formerly considered to be the same species, known as the "Western Flycatcher."

Description

• Small flycatcher.
• Prominent pale yellowish eyering and wingbars.
• Back greenish brown.
• Underparts yellowish.

• Size: 14-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 20-23 cm (8-9 in)
• Weight: 8-12 g (0.28-0.42 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Song high-pitched, squeaky, and with three parts, "ps-SEET, ptsick, seet!" Call is a sharp "seet!"

Conservation Status

Populations appear stable or slightly declining.

Other Names

Moucherolle côtier (French)
Mosquero californiano (Spanish)
Western Flycatcher (in part) (English)

Cool Facts

• The population of Pacific-slope Flycatcher breeding on the Channel Islands off southern California may actually be best treated as a distinct species. It is larger than mainland populations, has a longer bill, a paler chest, slightly different vocalizations, and differs genetically.
• The scientific name of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher, difficilis, is appropriate. It means "difficult," and this species is extremely difficult to distinguish from the similar Cordilleran Flycatcher.

Sources used to construct this page:

Lowther, P. E. 2000. Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) and Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 556 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.