Bird Guide

Greater Pewee vs Olive-sided Flycatcher

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax)

Greater Pewee

Contopus pertinax

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The greater pewee is 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in) long and weighs about 22 to 36 g (0.78 to 1.3 oz). The sexes have the same plumage with a spiky crest. Subspecies C. p. minor is smaller than the nominate but has essentially the same plumage. Adults have a plain olive-gray head and upperparts, with pale lores and a slightly lighter face than the rest of the head. Their wings are dusky grayish brown with grayish olive ends on the coverts that show as two faint wing bars. They have pale grayish edges on their secondaries. Their tail is dusky grayish brown. Voice: The two subspecies of the greater pewee have different songs. That of the nominate subspecies is "a plaintive Ho-say ma-ree-ah" that gives rise to its Mexican Spanish name "papamoscas José María". There is some variation in the number of ho-say notes. The song of subspecies C. p. minor is "fred-rick fear".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: HarmonyonPlanetEarth · CC BY 2.0
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

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The olive-sided flycatcher is a small to medium-sized passerine, smaller than an American robin, but bigger than sparrows. It can be identified by its olive-grey or grey-brownish plumage above with a white mid-breast section and throat. The olive tones on its back and wings are seen mainly in optimal light and when the feathers are freshly moulted. The sides of the breast area are grey and make the bird look like it is wearing a vest. It has a relatively long bill and long wings for its size. Sometimes, some of its head feathers can be raised, which make it look like it has a small crest. Voice: During the breeding, olive-sided flycatcher males sing a song to attract a mate. The mnemonic for its song is "Quick, three beers!" with three successive higher-pitched sounds. The first sound is shorter and not as high-pitched and loud as the two others. Sometimes, during mating season, males can produce growling sounds or squeaks when in conflict with other males.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Olive-sided Flycatcher
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz · Call, song · San Antonio De Los Altos (near Parroquia Macarao), Municipio Los Salias, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Becky Matsubara from El Sobrante, California · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Greater Pewee and Olive-sided Flycatcher.