Bird Guide

Olive-sided Flycatcher vs Smoke-colored Pewee

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
Smoke-colored Pewee (Contopus fumigatus)

Smoke-colored Pewee

Contopus fumigatus

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The smoke-colored pewee is a grey bird with a slight crest on its head. Their beaks are orange with a black culmen. Mature birds are 16–17 cm in size and 18-20g in weight. This species displays no sexual dimorphism, meaning both sexes share the same plumage. Their feet are anisodactyl, therefore three digits on their foot are forward and one is back. This is the most common foot type in perching birds. Voice: The smoke-colored pewee has a range of calls, with the most common being a loud "pip pip pip". At dawn a "where-di-WIT… whew" can be heard. A clear, repeated "peeew" whistle is also common. Though rare, alternate calls range from a hoarse, repeated "zur" to a whistled "whueer" to short "pjeek pjeek" notes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Smoke-colored Pewee
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz · Call · Fila De Mariches (near Parroquia La Dolorita), Sucre, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Joao Quental · 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: Olive-sided Flycatcher and Smoke-colored Pewee.