From Opus

Photo by Marcel Gauthier
Laprairie, Quebec, Canada, July 2005

Empidonax alnorum

[edit] Identification

5-6" (13-15 cm). Slightly smaller than a House Sparrow. Dull gray-green above, whitish below, with 2 dull white wing bars and narrow white eye ring (often not noticeable).
This is another very difficult to distinguish Empidonax, and is best distinguished from similar species by voice, breeding habitat, and nest.

[edit] Similar Species

Indistinguishable in appearance from the Willow Flycatcher, and frequents the same habitats. Distinguished from Willow Flycatcher by voice and in some areas by range.

Photo by Gary Clark
Location: Lundar Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada, August 2007

[edit] Distribution

Breeds from Alaska east through Manitoba to Newfoundland and south to British Columbia, Great Lakes region, and southern New England. Winters in tropics.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Willows, alders, brushy swamps.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects, some fruit in winter.

[edit] Breeding

The nest is a coarse, loose cup; 3-4 creamy white or buff, unmarked or dotted with dark irregular markings around large end, eggs are laid.

[edit] Vocalisation

Song: a harsh rreeBEEA

[edit] External Links