Empidonax traillii
The Willow Flycatcher, *Empidonax traillii*, is a small, unassuming passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family (Tyrannidae), easily recognized by its distinctive "fitz-bew" song, which is crucial for distinguishing it from visually identical species. Averaging 13-17 cm (5-6.7 inches) in length with a wingspan of 20-22 cm (8-8.7 inches) and weighing 12-18 grams (0.4-0.6 oz), it sports a rather plain plumage of olive-greenish upperparts, a whitish throat, and yellowish-white under...
This flycatcher primarily inhabits moist, shrubby areas, particularly willow thickets, regenerating clearcuts, and riparian zones, typically at low to mid-elevations.
Their diet consists almost entirely of insects, including flies, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, which they primarily capture in flight through active sallying from a perch.
Willow Flycatchers are diurnal insectivores, often perching conspicuously on small branches within dense shrubbery, from which they sally forth to catch flying insects. Males establish and vigorously defend territories through persistent singing and aerial chases, while females undertake the majo...
The Willow Flycatcher boasts a widespread breeding range across much of North America, extending from southern Canada through the northern and western United States, with scattered populations in the central and eastern US. Four recognized subspecies show distinct breeding distributions: *E. t. t...
Least Concern
- The Willow Flycatcher was once considered the same species as the Alder Flycatcher, known collectively as "Traill's Flycatcher," until distinct vocalizations led to their separation in the 1970s. - Its name honors Scottish naturalist Thomas Stewart Traill (1790-1867), who taught at the Universi...