© Matt Davis
© Nate Gowan
© Evan Lipton
© Deb Ford

Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Drab grayish-brown flycatcher found in deciduous and mixed forests and edges. Nondescript overall with two pale wingbars; bill is usually mostly dark with only limited orange at the base. Note very long wings and larger size than Empidonax flycatchers. Typically seen on a high perch, occasionally sallying out to snatch an insect. Essentially identical to Eastern Wood-Pewee; averages darker overall with weaker upper wingbar, but reliably distinguished only by voice. Listen for buzzy tones, especially the “BREeerr” song.

POWERED BY MERLIN