• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Difference between revisions of "Pacific-slope Flycatcher" - BirdForum Opus

Page Discussion
View source History
(change of photo)
m
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
;Empidonax difficilis
+
[[Image:Pacific-slope_Flycatcher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|jvhigbee|Joseph V. Higbee}}.<br/>Yakima County, [[Washington]], [[USA]], 25 May 2005.]]
−
[[Image:Pacific-slope_Flycatcher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by jvhigbee<br />Location: Yakima Co., Washington State, USA]]
+
;[[:Category:Empidonax|Empidonax]] difficilis
 +
==Identification==
 +
Length: 12.75cm (5in). Head is triangular in shape with a white eye ring, lower mandible is orange, upperparts are brown-olive, olive breast, yellow throat, belly and undertail coverts, 2 white-yellow wing bars.
 +
It is very difficult to distinguish from the [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]] (''Empidonax occidentalis'') in the field, except by the call of the male.  In winter, both species migrate south to [[Mexico]], where they are virtually indistinguishable from one another.
 +
===Similar Species===
 +
* [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]]: physically indistinguishable except by voice in the males.  Location is the best determinate.<br>
 +
* [[Yellow-bellied Flycatcher]]: has shorter tail than ''E. difficilis'', and brighter, more yellow wing bars. It also lacks the partial crest and has a more round (less almond-shaped) eyering.
  
−
==Identification==
+
Likely to overlap with [[Alder Flycatcher]], [[Buff-breasted Flycatcher]], [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]], [[Dusky Flycatcher]], [[Gray Flycatcher]], [[Hammond's Flycatcher]], [[Least Flycatcher]], [[Pine Flycatcher]], [[White-throated Flycatcher]], [[Willow Flycatcher]], [[Yellow-bellied Flycatcher]].
−
Length: 12.75cm (5in). A small flycatcher with triangular head, white oval eye ring, forming a point behind the eye; lower mandible orange; brownish-olive upperparts; breast has olive wash; yellowish throat, belly and undertail coverts; 2 white to yellowish wing bars.
 
  
−
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher (''Empidonax difficilis'') is a small insectivorous bird of the family Tyrannidae. It is very difficult to distinguish from the [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]] (''Empidonax occidentalis'') in the field, except by the call of the male. These two species were formerly considered a single species known as the Western Flycatcher. In winter, both species migrate south to Mexico, where they are virtually indistinguishable from one another.
+
See also [[Empidonax|<i>Empidonax</i>]].
  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
It is native to coastal regions of western North America as far north as British Columbia, but is replaced in the inland regions by the [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]]. Pacific-Slope Flycatcher: Breeds from Alaska south along the coast to Baja California. Spends winters in the lowlands of western Mexico.  
+
Western [[North America]]. Breeds from [[Alaska]] south along the coast to [[Baja California]]. Spends winters in the lowlands of western [[Mexico]].
  
 +
[[File:20230517_Empidonax_difficilis.jpg|375px|thumb|right|Approximate distribution map. From Xeno canto / NatureServe data at file date (from Xeno Canto)]]
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
Formerly conspecific with [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]] and called Western Flycatcher.
+
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher may be considered conspecific with the [[Cordilleran Flycatcher]] under the name [[Western Flycatcher]].
  
 +
Subspecies ''insulicola'' is isolated and may deserve species status.
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
Clements recognises the following subspecies [[#References|[1]]]:
 +
*''E. d. difficilis'': Western [[North America]] (southeast [[Alaska]] to northern [[Baja California]]); winters to southern [[Mexico]]
 +
*''E. d. insulicola'': Channel Islands off southern [[California]]
 +
*''E. d. cineritius'': Cape district of [[Baja California]]
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Preferred habitats include moist, shaded coniferous or mixed forests.
 
Preferred habitats include moist, shaded coniferous or mixed forests.
 +
==Behaviour==
 +
====Diet====
 +
Prey is caught in the air, or from foliage.  The diet is mainly flying or crawling insects.
 +
====Breeding====
 +
Nests can be made in tree stumps and upturned tree roots.  The female builds the nest of moss, grass, rootlets, bark, and lichen, and lines it with hair and feathers. 3-4 eggs are laid and incubated for 14 to 15 days. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest at about 15 days. The young stay near the nest for a few days after fledging.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
Song  “ps-séét ptsick seet” with the ptsick section going low-high.  Male position note  is upslurred sinusoidal (important for distinguishing from ''E. occidentalis'') which has this note two-parted.  Female position note a brief “tsip” or “tsit”, similar to “seet” portion of song. <br /><br />
  
−
==Behaviour==
+
{{ Audio|Pacific-slopeFlycatcher.mp3‎  }}
−
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher generally watches from a perch in the lower or middle canopy, and flies out to catch prey in the air. It also hovers in front of foliage or twigs and gleans prey from their surfaces. This species can be very hard to see, but can be found readily once its call is known - a distinct, upslurred ''suweet'', or a high, thin ''tseep''.  The call of the Cordilleran Flycatcher is a two-note ''pit peet''.
+
[[Media:Pacific-slopeFlycatcher.mp3‎ |Listen to a song clip (subspecies ''E. d. difficilis'']])<br />
 +
Recording &copy; by {{user|jmorlan|Joseph Morlan}}<br />
 +
Pacifica, [[California]], 03 April 2020
  
−
Pacific-slope Flycatchers eat mostly flying insects as well as some crawling insects.
+
====Movements====
 +
Medium-distance migrant, wintering in Mexico; breeding birds in Southern Baja California (race ''cineritius'') resident.
  
−
Pacific-slope Flycatchers usually select natural sites such as trees for nesting. Very occasionally they nest under man-made bridges or eaves. Nests usually have some sort of shelter from above. Natural nesting sites include tree stumps and upturned tree roots, which are typically closer to the ground than nests on man-made objects. The female builds the nest of moss, grass, rootlets, bark, and lichen, and lines it with hair and feathers. She usually incubates three to four eggs for 14 to 15 days. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest at about 15 days. The young stay near the nest for a few days after fledging.
+
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Lowther, P. E., P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten (2020). Pacific-slope Flycatcher (''Empidonax difficilis''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pasfly.01
 +
#Farnsworth, A. & Lebbin, D. (2020). Pacific-slope Flycatcher (''Empidonax difficilis''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57359 on 14 April 2020).
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 +
Search the Gallery using the scientific name:
 
{{GSearch|Empidonax+difficilis}}
 
{{GSearch|Empidonax+difficilis}}
−
[[Category:Birds]]
+
Search the Gallery using the common name:
 +
{{GSearch|"Pacific-slope Flycatcher"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Empidonax]]

Latest revision as of 12:55, 12 October 2023

Photo © by Joseph V. Higbee.
Yakima County, Washington, USA, 25 May 2005.
Empidonax difficilis

Identification

Length: 12.75cm (5in). Head is triangular in shape with a white eye ring, lower mandible is orange, upperparts are brown-olive, olive breast, yellow throat, belly and undertail coverts, 2 white-yellow wing bars. It is very difficult to distinguish from the Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis) in the field, except by the call of the male. In winter, both species migrate south to Mexico, where they are virtually indistinguishable from one another.

Similar Species

  • Cordilleran Flycatcher: physically indistinguishable except by voice in the males. Location is the best determinate.
  • Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: has shorter tail than E. difficilis, and brighter, more yellow wing bars. It also lacks the partial crest and has a more round (less almond-shaped) eyering.

Likely to overlap with Alder Flycatcher, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Pine Flycatcher, White-throated Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

See also Empidonax.

Distribution

Western North America. Breeds from Alaska south along the coast to Baja California. Spends winters in the lowlands of western Mexico.

Approximate distribution map. From Xeno canto / NatureServe data at file date (from Xeno Canto)

Taxonomy

The Pacific-slope Flycatcher may be considered conspecific with the Cordilleran Flycatcher under the name Western Flycatcher.

Subspecies insulicola is isolated and may deserve species status.

Subspecies

Clements recognises the following subspecies [1]:

Habitat

Preferred habitats include moist, shaded coniferous or mixed forests.

Behaviour

Diet

Prey is caught in the air, or from foliage. The diet is mainly flying or crawling insects.

Breeding

Nests can be made in tree stumps and upturned tree roots. The female builds the nest of moss, grass, rootlets, bark, and lichen, and lines it with hair and feathers. 3-4 eggs are laid and incubated for 14 to 15 days. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest at about 15 days. The young stay near the nest for a few days after fledging.

Vocalisation

Song “ps-séét ptsick seet” with the ptsick section going low-high. Male position note is upslurred sinusoidal (important for distinguishing from E. occidentalis) which has this note two-parted. Female position note a brief “tsip” or “tsit”, similar to “seet” portion of song.

Listen to a song clip (subspecies E. d. difficilis)
Recording © by Joseph Morlan
Pacifica, California, 03 April 2020

Movements

Medium-distance migrant, wintering in Mexico; breeding birds in Southern Baja California (race cineritius) resident.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Lowther, P. E., P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten (2020). Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pasfly.01
  3. Farnsworth, A. & Lebbin, D. (2020). Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57359 on 14 April 2020).

External Links

Search the Gallery using the scientific name:

Search the Gallery using the common name:

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Pacific-slope_Flycatcher&oldid=269867’
Back
Top