Acadian Flycatcher

The Acadian Flycatcher is a small, greenish-toned member of the Empidonax genus closely tied to mature deciduous forest in the eastern United States, particularly favoring shaded ravines, stream bottoms, and forest interiors with a well-developed canopy. It shows olive-green upperparts, a whitish eye-ring, pale wing bars, and a notably broad, wide-based bill for its size, with pale yellowish underparts.

Often more easily heard than seen as it forages in the shaded midstory, this species is identified with confidence by its explosive, two-note song, one of the more distinctive vocalizations among the Empidonax flycatchers.

Key Field Marks

• Olive-green upperparts, brighter and greener than many other Empidonax species
• Whitish eye-ring and pale yellowish wing bars
• Pale yellow wash on the underparts, more pronounced than in many relatives
• Notably broad-based bill

Similar Species

• Willow Flycatcher and Alder Flycatcher are duller and less green, with weaker eye-rings.
• Yellow-bellied Flycatcher shows a brighter, more extensive yellow wash and a boldly marked eye-ring, and breeds in more northern boreal habitat.
• The Acadian Flycatcher's explosive peet-sah song is highly distinctive and the most reliable identification tool.

Acadian Flycatchers breed in mature deciduous forests across the eastern United States, favoring shaded ravines, stream bottoms, and forest interiors with a closed canopy and open understory, generally avoiding forest edges and young second growth.

The species winters in Central America and northern South America, migrating relatively late in spring compared to some other flycatchers.

Voice

Sings an explosive, sneezy peet-sah, often the first indication of its presence in the shaded forest interior; also gives a sharp peet call.

Feeding

Sallies from a perch in the forest midstory or understory to catch flying insects, and also hover-gleans prey from foliage.

Nesting

Builds a loosely constructed, shallow cup nest of plant fibers, often with dangling material hanging beneath, suspended in the fork of a horizontal branch, typically over a stream or in a shaded ravine.