Willow Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

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

A small drab flycatcher of wet, brushy areas, the Willow Flycatcher is best identified by its voice. Nearly identical to the Alder Flycatcher; the two species were considered the same until the 1970s.

Description

• Small flycatcher.
• Two whitish wingbars.
• Thin white eyering may be lacking.

• Size: 13-17 cm (5-7 in)
• Wingspan: 19-24 cm (7-9 in)
• Weight: 11-16 g (0.39-0.56 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Song a harsh "fitz-bew" or "rrritz-bew," accented on the first syllable. Call note a mellow "whit."

Conservation Status

Overall populations appear to be declining. Southwestern subspecies is listed as Endangered, extirpated from much of its original range. Listed on the Audubon Watchlist.

Other Names

Moucherolle des saules (French)
Mosquero saucero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Flycatcher songs are innate, not learned like those of most songbirds. Young Willow Flycatchers reared in captivity with Alder Flycatcher tutors sang typical Willow Flycatcher songs.

• When the two species are found together, the Willow Flycatcher will keep Alder Flycatchers out of its territory. But it expends more effort to keep out other Willow Flycatchers.

• If a Brown-headed Cowbird lays its eggs in the nest of a Willow Flycatcher, the flycatcher may bury the cowbird eggs in the nest lining, or even build a completely new nest over the top of the first one.

Sources used to construct this page:

Sedgwick, J. A. 2000. Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). In The Birds of North America, No. 533 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.