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Here are some eBird maps showing all records for the month of April for several species of small flycatchers in eastern North America. A glance at these maps will show which species are possible in your area in the next few weeks, and this greatly simplifies flycatcher identification. For most of the east, through most of April, small flycatcher identification can be summed up in one short phrase – “It’s a phoebe” (see Eastern Phoebe map at the end of this post below).
Anything is possible, of course, and spring migration is getting earlier each year, but if you think you have found, for example, an Alder Flycatcher in Pennsylvania in April, you’ll need some photo or audio documentation to verify it.
Alder Flycatcher records in the month of April – very few!
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher records in the month of April – very few!Willow Flycatcher records in April. Only a handful of records scattered north and east of Texas. Assuming that these are correctly identified, the fact remains that any Willow Flycatcher in those areas in April is an extreme rarity.Least Flycatcher records in April. The second-earliest Empidonax (after Acadian), and getting farther north by the end of April. This map was made on April 10th, the orange markers indicate records in the current year (i.e. the first ten days of April), blue markers show records from past years. Virtually all of the blue markers shown represent records from late April.Acadian Flycatcher records in the month of April – this species arrives on its southern breeding grounds in mid- to late-April, and is generally the earliest Empidonax.Eastern Wood-Pewee records for the month of April, showing as purple rectangles because there are over 2000 total records in view. Note that there are very few records north of about Missouri, southern Ohio, and Maryland. North of there any April reports of this species should be very carefully identified.Eastern Phoebe records in April. This species is the earliest flycatcher by far. Many winter in the southern US, and spring migrants arrive as far north as New England during March, with a big influx there in early April. This map represents a nearly fully-occupied breeding range in April.
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9 thoughts on “Flycatcher identification by the calendar”
Is there any other bird whose call sounds like eastern wood-pewee and would be found in an area where it is commonly found (NW Chicago suburbs, preserve)?
David,
I agree with the general trend of arrivals (Acadian in April, Least in late April, and all the rest after May 1. I would reduce most of the “records” (at least the Texas ones) by a factor of 10 due to faulty identification.
In Columbus Ohio where I lived Acadian was in during last week of April. Least was once or twice found on last day of April but weren’t arriving until May 1 – 5. The earliest Yellow-bellied I noted was May 5, and rare before May 12, peak being MÃ y 15:- 26. As for Trail’s seeing one before May needs documentation. The earliest Willow is May 12 and Alder 19th. Interesting though, Alder arrival fluctuates every few years. In 2013 not on was seen until May 31, June 3. They continued through June 25, peak of 23 June 21. This all in central Ohio where they don’t breed. Willow is similar to a much lesser degree.c Willow common breeder and every July 2 -:11 Alders likely failed breeders would appear offer singing side by side w Willow
We have had 3 visiting birds that act like flycatchers, look like female American goldfinch, but are twice as big. They visit out water feature with goldfinch, have 2 bars on their wings, are about 6″, no eye ring, and are quite yellow and olive. I haven’t been able to identify them by photos online. We are in the flyway of the Columbia Basin in Eastern Washington State. They have me stumped! This is the first year we’ve seen these 3. We thought maybe the fires in the west have displaced them. Sure don’t know
Is there any other bird whose call sounds like eastern wood-pewee and would be found in an area where it is commonly found (NW Chicago suburbs, preserve)?
Don’t laugh, please, but I actually sometimes get faked out by a Killdeer for an Eastern Wood-pewee.
Starling I’ve heard do very passable calls on CBC in VA
These maps are really a helpful tool. Flycatcher identification made easy!
David,
I agree with the general trend of arrivals (Acadian in April, Least in late April, and all the rest after May 1. I would reduce most of the “records” (at least the Texas ones) by a factor of 10 due to faulty identification.
Hi John, Thanks for commenting. I guess this reinforces the point of the post – that only a couple of species of flycatchers can be seen in April.
In Columbus Ohio where I lived Acadian was in during last week of April. Least was once or twice found on last day of April but weren’t arriving until May 1 – 5. The earliest Yellow-bellied I noted was May 5, and rare before May 12, peak being MÃ y 15:- 26. As for Trail’s seeing one before May needs documentation. The earliest Willow is May 12 and Alder 19th. Interesting though, Alder arrival fluctuates every few years. In 2013 not on was seen until May 31, June 3. They continued through June 25, peak of 23 June 21. This all in central Ohio where they don’t breed. Willow is similar to a much lesser degree.c Willow common breeder and every July 2 -:11 Alders likely failed breeders would appear offer singing side by side w Willow
Suzanne,
European Starlings can do a really good mimicry of Eastern Wood-pewee calls and they do it often.
We have had 3 visiting birds that act like flycatchers, look like female American goldfinch, but are twice as big. They visit out water feature with goldfinch, have 2 bars on their wings, are about 6″, no eye ring, and are quite yellow and olive. I haven’t been able to identify them by photos online. We are in the flyway of the Columbia Basin in Eastern Washington State. They have me stumped! This is the first year we’ve seen these 3. We thought maybe the fires in the west have displaced them. Sure don’t know