least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.5 inches

• small flycatcher

• Triangular head

• Eye ring

• Lower mandible orange

• Brownish-olive upperparts

• Breast has olive wash

• Whitish throat, belly and undertail coverts

• Wing bars-white in adults, buffy in juveniles

• Breeding habitat is deciduous woods

Similar species:

The empidonax flycatchers are very difficult to tell apart. The safest
way to differentiate them is by habitat, range, and voice in the breeding
season. Differences in plumage due to molt, wear and age make the
plumage quite variable. The least flycatcher is the smallest empidonax
with a small bill that makes the head look big. Yellow-bellied flycatcher
is similar in size and shape but is greener above and yellower below.
Willow and alder have less obvious eye rings, longer tails and browner
upperparts. Acadian is larger, bigger-billed, greener above, and yellower
below. In the west, Hammond's is typically darker on the breast. Dusky
and gray are larger and Pacific-slope and Cordilleran have oval eye rings,
are larger, and yellower underneath.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-6
Length of Incubation: 13-14 days
Days to Fledge: 12-16
Number of Broods: 1, 2 in south
Diet: Almost exclusively insects; lesser quantities of fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May Acc
      Su - Summer: June, July, August Acc
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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