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Difference between revisions of "Acadian Flycatcher" - BirdForum Opus

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==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 +
Length 13-14.5 cm, weight 12.2-14 g
 +
*One of the larger [[:Category:Empidonax|''Empidonax'']] flycatchers
 +
*Olive-green upperparts with two white wingbars and white tertial fringes
 +
*Underparts white with a hint of yellow
 +
*Long primary projection
 +
*Narrow but obvious pale eye ring
 +
*Bill slender, broad-based, pinkish-yellow below, dark above
 +
*Molts in late summer on breeding grounds; fall migrants in fresh plumage
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
The [[:Category:Empidonax|''Empidonax'']] flycatchers are very difficult to tell apart. The safest way to differentiate them is by habitat, range, and voice in the breeding season. Differences in plumage due to molt, wear and age make the plumage quite variable. A combination of features is helpful for identifying this species: size-it is larger than Yellow-bellied and Least, color-it has greener upperparts and yellower underparts than all but the Yellow-bellied. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is usually more yellow underneath-especially on the throat, is smaller and more active, and has a smaller bill. Alder and Willow are browner above and whiter below with less obvious eye rings. Least is smaller, grayer above and whiter below and has a smaller bill. Empidonax flycatchers from the western United States have darker lower mandibles, and whiter underparts (Gray and Dusky), darker breasts (Hammond's), or oval eye rings (Pacific Slope and Cordilleran) as well as different ranges. [[:Category:Contopus|Pewees]] are larger, browner above, whiter below and have indistinct eye rings.<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
+
[[Yellow-bellied Flycatcher|Yellow-bellied]] and [[Least Flycatcher]] are smaller; Yellow-bellied also darker yellow-brown beneath and smaller billed, and Least grayer above and whiter below and has a smaller bill. [[Alder Flycatcher|Alder]] and [[Willow Flycatcher]]s are browner above and whiter below, and with less obvious eye rings. Western ''Empidonax'' flycatchers have darker lower mandibles, and either whiter underparts ([[Gray Flycatcher|Gray]] and [[Dusky Flycatcher]]s), darker breasts ([[Hammond's Flycatcher]]), or oval eye rings ([[Pacific Slope Flycatcher|Pacific Slope]] and [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]]s) as well as only rarely occurring in the same areas on passage and the winter grounds. [[:Category:Contopus|Pewees]] are obviously larger, browner above, whiter below and lack obvious eye rings<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
From southeastern [[South Dakota]] east across southern Great Lakes region to southern [[New England]], south to southern [[Texas]], [[Gulf Coast]], and central [[Florida]], west to central [[Kansas]]; in [[Canada]], restricted to southwestern [[Ontario]]. The highest nesting densities are in the Cumberland Plateau and in [[Virginia]] and [[West Virginia]]. <sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
+
Breeds in the eastern [[United States]], and just into the extreme south of [[Canada]] in southwestern [[Ontario]]. In the US, west to southeastern [[South Dakota]], central [[Kansas]] and southern [[Texas]], east to southern [[New England]], and south to [[Gulf Coast]], and central [[Florida]]. Most abundand in [[Virginia]] and [[West Virginia]]<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. Migrates mainly through eastern [[Mexico]]; scarce on the western Caribbean islands. Winters in Central America and northern South America, from [[Nicaragua]] southwest to [[Ecuador]] and east to [[Venezuela]].  
 +
 
 +
Listed as Endangered in Canada, with only around 25-75 pairs annually, all close to Lake Erie<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>.
 +
 
 +
A very rare vagrant west of the breeding range, with records from [[New Mexico]] and [[British Columbia]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
This is a monotypic species.
 
This is a monotypic species.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
+
Breeds in mature moist deciduous or mixed forests of preferably over 40 hectares size with shrubby understory, often close to running water. Less common in, but will use, conifer plantations. In smaller, fragmented forests suffers high levels of nest parasitism by [[Brown-headed Cowbird]]s.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 
The diet includes insects which they catch by hawking and gleaning, and some berries and seeds.
 
The diet includes insects which they catch by hawking and gleaning, and some berries and seeds.
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==References==
 
==References==
 
#www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
 
#www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
 
+
#cornell.edu
 +
#[http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/acadian-flycatcher Ontario birds: Acadian flycatcher]
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Acadian+flycatcher}}
 
{{GSearch|Acadian+flycatcher}}
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Empidonax]]
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Empidonax]]

Revision as of 12:37, 26 November 2014

Photo by SarahC
Photo taken: Arkansas
Empidonax virescens

Identification

Length 13-14.5 cm, weight 12.2-14 g

  • One of the larger Empidonax flycatchers
  • Olive-green upperparts with two white wingbars and white tertial fringes
  • Underparts white with a hint of yellow
  • Long primary projection
  • Narrow but obvious pale eye ring
  • Bill slender, broad-based, pinkish-yellow below, dark above
  • Molts in late summer on breeding grounds; fall migrants in fresh plumage

Similar Species

Yellow-bellied and Least Flycatcher are smaller; Yellow-bellied also darker yellow-brown beneath and smaller billed, and Least grayer above and whiter below and has a smaller bill. Alder and Willow Flycatchers are browner above and whiter below, and with less obvious eye rings. Western Empidonax flycatchers have darker lower mandibles, and either whiter underparts (Gray and Dusky Flycatchers), darker breasts (Hammond's Flycatcher), or oval eye rings (Pacific Slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers) as well as only rarely occurring in the same areas on passage and the winter grounds. Pewees are obviously larger, browner above, whiter below and lack obvious eye rings[1].

Distribution

Breeds in the eastern United States, and just into the extreme south of Canada in southwestern Ontario. In the US, west to southeastern South Dakota, central Kansas and southern Texas, east to southern New England, and south to Gulf Coast, and central Florida. Most abundand in Virginia and West Virginia[2]. Migrates mainly through eastern Mexico; scarce on the western Caribbean islands. Winters in Central America and northern South America, from Nicaragua southwest to Ecuador and east to Venezuela.

Listed as Endangered in Canada, with only around 25-75 pairs annually, all close to Lake Erie[3].

A very rare vagrant west of the breeding range, with records from New Mexico and British Columbia.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

Habitat

Breeds in mature moist deciduous or mixed forests of preferably over 40 hectares size with shrubby understory, often close to running water. Less common in, but will use, conifer plantations. In smaller, fragmented forests suffers high levels of nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Behaviour

The diet includes insects which they catch by hawking and gleaning, and some berries and seeds.

Vocalisation

The song is a loud peet-sa. The call is a soft peet.

References

  1. www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
  2. cornell.edu
  3. Ontario birds: Acadian flycatcher

External Links

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