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ForestCup nestTiny · 10 g
What the Least Flycatcher sounds like
ID tip
The least flycatcher is hard to distinguish from the other birds of its genus. The bird is one of the smallest of the genus Empidonax, measuring 12 to 14 cm in height with a wingspan of 19 to 22 cm and weighing approximately 10.3 g. Its plumage is dull olive-gray on its back and whitish on its belly, notably brighter than the other Empidonax birds. The least flycatcher's wings are lined with two white bars, and white rings contour its eyes. Its beak is short and the lower mandible is yellowish. Voice: The vocalization of the least flycatcher is often characterized as being dry and sounding like a piercing «che-bec» pushed with strength, the second syllable being louder than the first. During the hottest days of the summer, they often call incessantly. Singing is essential to the least flycatcher to establish and defend their territory.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Least Flycatcher
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 5 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Least Flycatcher
The map shades 13 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Least Flycatcher
The least flycatcher is a small insect-eating bird. It is the smallest Empidonax flycatcher in eastern North America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Western FlycatcherEmpidonax difficilisAdults have olive-gray upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with yellowish underparts; they have a conspicuous teardrop-shaped white eye ring, white wing bars, a small bill and a short tail.
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiAdults have brown-olive upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have an indistinct white eye ring, white wing bars and a small bill.
Acadian FlycatcherEmpidonax virescensAdults 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.
Side by side: Least Flycatcher vs Western Flycatcher · Least Flycatcher vs Willow Flycatcher · Acadian Flycatcher vs Least Flycatcher
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