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Difference between revisions of "Acadian Flycatcher" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Empidonax virescens by Al in Virginia.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Al_in_Virginia|Al in Virginia}}<br />Quinton, [[Virginia]]; August 2011]]
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[[Image:Empidonax virescens by Terry O'Nolley.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult in spring<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Terry+O'Nolley|Terry O'Nolley}}<br />[[Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge|Patuxent River State Park]], [[Maryland]]; May 2007]]
 
;[[:Category:Empidonax|Empidonax]] virescens
 
;[[:Category:Empidonax|Empidonax]] virescens
  
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
Length 13-14.5 cm, weight 12.2-14 g
+
[[Image:Empidonax virescens by Al in Virginia.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Al_in_Virginia|Al in Virginia}}<br />Quinton, [[Virginia]]; August 2011]]
*One of the larger [[:Category:Empidonax|''Empidonax'']] flycatchers
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Length 13-14.5 cm (5-5¾ in), weight 12.2-14 g -- One of the larger [[:Category:Empidonax|''Empidonax'']] flycatchers, and the one in [[North America]] having the largest bill <br />
*Olive-green upperparts with two white wingbars (buffy in juveniles) and white tertial fringes
+
 
 +
'''Adult in spring plumage'''
 +
*Olive-green upperparts with two white wingbars and white tertial fringes
 
*Underparts white with a hint of yellow
 
*Underparts white with a hint of yellow
*Long primary projection
+
*Olive breast band
*Narrow but obvious pale eye ring
+
*Long [[Topography#Wings|primary]] projection
*Bill slender, broad-based, pinkish-yellow below, dark above
+
*Narrow but obvious pale eye ring (may become indistinct as summer progress)
*Molts in late summer on breeding grounds; fall migrants in fresh plumage
+
*Bill long, broad-based, pinkish-yellow below, dark above
 +
*Legs grey
 +
'''In fresh plumage'''
 +
*Molts in late summer on breeding grounds before fall migration
 +
*Wingbars yellowish to buffy
 +
*Underside much more yellow than spring, but less than juvenile
 +
'''Juveniles'''
 +
*Wingbars buffy and tertial and other fringes yellow
 +
*Underside more yellow than any other plumage
 +
*Most feathers in crown and body with buff tip, partially retained in fall migration
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
[[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>.
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[[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 ([[Western Flycatcher]]) 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>.
 +
 
 +
Likely to overlap with [[Alder Flycatcher]], [[Black-capped Flycatcher]], [[Buff-breasted Flycatcher]], [[Dusky Flycatcher]], [[Hammond's Flycatcher]], [[Least Flycatcher]], [[Pine Flycatcher]], [[Western Flycatcher]], [[White-throated Flycatcher]], [[Willow Flycatcher]], [[Yellow-bellied Flycatcher]], [[Yellowish Flycatcher]].
 +
 
 +
See also [[Empidonax|<i>Empidonax</i>]].
  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[Image:Empidonax virescens by Terry O'Nolley.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult in spring<br />Photo by {{user|Terry+O'Nolley|Terry O'Nolley}}<br />[[Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge|Patuxent River State Park]], [[Maryland]]; May 2007]]
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[[Image:Acadian Flycatcher Camelot Park.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Stanley+Jones|Stanley Jones}}<br />Camelot Park, Bryan, Brazos County, [[Texas]], [[USA]], 1 August 2020]]
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 the [[Gulf Coast]], and central [[Florida]]. Most abundant 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]].  
+
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 the Gulf Coast, and central [[Florida]]. Most abundant 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>.
 
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]].
 
A very rare vagrant west of the breeding range, with records from [[New Mexico]] and [[British Columbia]].
 +
 +
[[File:20230517_Empidonax_virescens.jpg|375px|thumb|right|Approximate distribution map. From Xeno canto / NatureServe data at file date (from Xeno Canto)]]
  
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
This is a monotypic species.
+
====Subspecies====
 +
Clements regards this as a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species [[#References|[1]]].
 +
 
 
==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.
 
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.
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The song is a loud ''peet-sa''. The call is a soft ''peet''.
 
The song is a loud ''peet-sa''. The call is a soft ''peet''.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
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#{{Ref-Clements6thOct24}}#www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
#cornell.edu
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#Birds of North America Online read in July 2018
 
#[http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/acadian-flycatcher Ontario birds: Acadian flycatcher]
 
#[http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/acadian-flycatcher Ontario birds: Acadian flycatcher]
 +
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Empidonax+virescens}}
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{{GSearch|"Empidonax virescens" {{!}} "Acadian Flycatcher" }}
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{{GS-checked}}1
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Empidonax]]
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Empidonax]]
 +
<br />
 +
<br />

Latest revision as of 13:34, 12 May 2025

Adult in spring
Photo © by Terry O'Nolley
Patuxent River State Park, Maryland; May 2007
Empidonax virescens

Identification

Juvenile
Photo by Al in Virginia
Quinton, Virginia; August 2011

Length 13-14.5 cm (5-5¾ in), weight 12.2-14 g -- One of the larger Empidonax flycatchers, and the one in North America having the largest bill

Adult in spring plumage

  • Olive-green upperparts with two white wingbars and white tertial fringes
  • Underparts white with a hint of yellow
  • Olive breast band
  • Long primary projection
  • Narrow but obvious pale eye ring (may become indistinct as summer progress)
  • Bill long, broad-based, pinkish-yellow below, dark above
  • Legs grey

In fresh plumage

  • Molts in late summer on breeding grounds before fall migration
  • Wingbars yellowish to buffy
  • Underside much more yellow than spring, but less than juvenile

Juveniles

  • Wingbars buffy and tertial and other fringes yellow
  • Underside more yellow than any other plumage
  • Most feathers in crown and body with buff tip, partially retained in fall migration

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 (Western Flycatcher) 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].

Likely to overlap with Alder Flycatcher, Black-capped Flycatcher, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Pine Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, White-throated Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Yellowish Flycatcher.

See also Empidonax.

Distribution

Photo © by Stanley Jones
Camelot Park, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, USA, 1 August 2020

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 the Gulf Coast, and central Florida. Most abundant 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.

Approximate distribution map. From Xeno canto / NatureServe data at file date (from Xeno Canto)

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Clements regards this as a monotypic species [1].

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. Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, M. Smith, and C. L. Wood. 2024. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2024. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov
  3. Birds of North America Online read in July 2018
  4. Ontario birds: Acadian flycatcher

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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