From Opus

Empidonax occidentalis

Photo by Steve Messick
Photo taken: Crow Valley campground, northeast Colorado, USA

[edit] Identification

A small (14cm, 5.5in) flycatcher of typical appearance; back brownish-olive, yellowish-olive underparts, two strong wing bars, crest, and white-eye-ring, slightly extended behind the eye.

[edit] Similar Species

• Pacific-slope Flycatcher: physically indistinguishable except by voice in the males. Location is the best determinate.
  
• Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: has shorter tail than E. occidentalis, and brighter, more yellow wing bars.

[edit] Distribution

In summer, intermountain west of the USA, most commonly in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Migrates to the coast along the Sea of Cortez in Mexico for the winter.

[edit] Taxonomy

This species is the result of a split of the previous Western Flycatcher due to geographical separation. The split produced this species and the Pacific-slope Flycatcher.

[edit] Habitat

Shaded forests, often along streams.

[edit] Behaviour

Perches on a branch, sallying forth repeatedly to catch flying insects.

[edit] External Links