Bird Guide

Acadian Flycatcher vs Alder Flycatcher

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Tiny13 gForest

Adults have olive upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have a white eye ring, white wing bars and a wide bill. The breast is washed with olive. The upper part of the bill is dark; the lower part is yellowish. This bird's song is an explosive peet-sa. The call is a soft peet. They also have a call similar to that of the northern flicker. A unique two-note song described as "ka-zeep" helps to identify this species. Measurements: Length: 5.5–5.9 inches (14–15 cm) Weight: 0.4–0.5 ounces (11–14 g) Wingspan: 8.7–9.1 inches (22–23 cm)

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Ryan Douglas · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Aitor · CC BY 4.0
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Tiny13 gShrubland

E. alnorum is one of the larger Empidonax species, attaining a length of 13–17 cm (5.1–6.7 in), and a weight of 12–14 g (0.42–0.49 oz). The wingspan ranges from 21–24 cm (8.3–9.4 in). The upperparts of E. alnorum are dull greenish-olive. The crown is a slightly darker olive-green than the back. The throat is white, with a darker breast band. Thin white rings surround the eyes. The bill is wide and moderate in length, with pinkish or yellow-orange lower mandible and black upper mandible. Wings are generally black, with white wing bars and white edges of the innermost secondaries (tertials). Voice: The vocalizations of the alder flycatcher are very useful for its identification in the field. The song is a distinct "fee-bee-o"; birds have been observed to throw their heads back and shake their tails while singing. There are a variety of calls made, the most common of which is a "pit" sound produced when foraging.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: worldbird · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Acadian Flycatcher and Alder Flycatcher.