Contopus pertinax
The Greater Pewee, *Contopus pertinax*, is a robust and distinctive flycatcher of high-elevation pine-oak forests, instantly recognizable by its prominent head crest and characteristic "ho-say" call. Measuring about 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 inches) in length with a wingspan of 30-34 cm (12-13.4 inches) and weighing 28-40 grams, it presents a generally dull olive-brown plumage above, a dusky grayish breast, and a pale yellowish wash on the belly, often with faint streaking. Key field marks include it...
This species thrives in high-elevation montane forests, primarily favoring pine-oak and mixed evergreen woodlands. It is typically found at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to over 3,000 meters (5,000 to 10,000 feet).
The diet consists almost exclusively of a variety of flying insects, including flies, beetles, wasps, bees, butterflies, and moths. It forages by sallying from an exposed perch to catch prey in flight.
Greater Pewees are diurnal hunters, typically spending their days perched conspicuously on dead snags or exposed branches, scanning for aerial prey. Their foraging strategy involves swift, acrobatic sallies from these vantage points to snatch flying insects in mid-air, often returning to the same...
The breeding range of the Greater Pewee extends from the southwestern United States, specifically the Madrean Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, south through the extensive highlands of Mexico. It breeds throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Orienta...
Least Concern
- The Greater Pewee is often called the "Jose Maria" bird due to its distinctive, two-note call, which sounds like the Spanish name "Ho-say Mar-EE-a". - It is one of the largest members of the *Contopus* genus, making it a truly 'greater' pewee among its relatives. - Unlike many songbirds that qu...