Contopus cooperi
The Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) is a powerfully vocal, medium-sized songbird of mature coniferous and mixed forests across North America. Averaging 18-20 cm (7-8 in) in length with a wingspan of 30-34 cm (12-13 in) and a mass of 30-40 g (1.1-1.4 oz), it is distinguished by its dark olive-gray upperparts, white throat, and prominent white streaking on the breast and belly, framed by distinct dark olive-gray flanks that give the appearance of a 'vest' - a key identification mark. ...
Found primarily in mature coniferous and mixed forests, often near open areas, clearings, bogs, burns, or natural forest edges at various elevations.
Exclusively insectivorous, primarily consuming flying insects such as flies, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, and dragonflies, caught on the wing.
Olive-sided Flycatchers are diurnal, typically perching conspicuously at the top of tall snags or trees, scanning for prey with a characteristic upright posture. They employ a 'sallying' foraging strategy, launching rapid flights from their perch to snatch insects in mid-air before often returnin...
The Olive-sided Flycatcher exhibits a broad breeding distribution across North America, spanning from central Alaska and throughout Canada, south through the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, northern Great Lakes region, and northern New England, extending into the northern Appalachian Mountain...
Least Concern
- The Olive-sided Flycatcher's loud, emphatic song, often transcribed as 'quick-three-beers' or 'pip-pip-pip-whee-pip,' is remarkably powerful for a bird of its size. - Its common name, 'Olive-sided,' refers to the distinctive dark flanks that frame its white belly, creating a 'vested' appearance...