Western Flycatcher Complex

Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
Cordilleran Flycatcher(Empidonax occidentalis)

The "Western Flycatcher" frequents riparian, or streamside habitat, in the Rocky Mountains and Foothills of Alberta. The Western Flycatcher was a single species until a revision in 1989 of the American Ornithologists' Union nomenclature which divided the Western into the Cordilleran Flycatcher and the Pacific Slope Flycatcher. The two species are visually identical but their vocalizations can be used to distinguish them. It is very difficult to identify this, or any Empidonax flycatcher, by sight alone. Vocalizations and habitat are essential aids in determining what flycatcher you are looking at. Although the Cordilleran Flycatcher has been the species documented for Alberta, our preliminary findings suggest that the Pacific-slope Flycatcher occurs in Alberta. Whether one or both of the "Western Flycatcher" species occurs in Alberta will be the focus of future study.

Sight The most distinct feature that could be used to identify the "Western Flycatcher" is the tear-shaped eyering. The bird's upperparts tend to be olive-green and its throat and underparts have a yellow wash to them. The yellow in the underparts distinguishes this bird from all other Empidonax species except for the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. The "Western" averages 140 mm in length from its beak to its tail. The primary extensions of the wings are short making the tail appear longer than other flycatchers. Another feature to look at is the bill shape. The "Western Flycatcher" has a wide bill and the lower mandible is completely orange or pink.

 

Vocalizations The song of the "Western Flycatcher", pictured above, is made up of three syllables: "tsip...tseweep...pttsikk." Click on sonogram to hear Wav File (244 KB) The common call of the Cordilleran Flycatcher is a two-syllable "pseet, pttsick". The Pacific-slope Flycatcher's call is a "peweet."

Habitat The "Western Flycatcher" is thought to be found from Jasper south throughout the Rocky Mountains. It prefers shady forest areas and the steep banks along streams and mountain ravines.

Go to the the virtual publication: The distribution and habitat preferences of the "Western Flycatcher" in Alberta Go To Willow Flycatcher

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