Contopus cooperi
adult
This species is a rather dull-looking flycatcher with a plump body and upright posture when perched. The bill is relatively large and dark, and the end of the tail is forked. In plumage terms, the sexes are similar, with dull olive-brown upperparts and a subtly darker tail and wings. It has faint pale wingbars, there is a subtle pale eyering, and note the white feather tufts on the side of the rump. The flanks are dark-streaked and on the underparts a broad whitish band extends from the throat down the center of the breast to the undertail. Overall, juveniles are a subtly warmer brown than adult birds.
The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a breeding species across northern temperate and western North America; it is present from May to August. It migrates south outside the breeding season and spends the rest of the year in South America. It specializes in catching flying insects on aerial forays. It often uses a dead branch as a lookout post.
FACT FILE
LENGTH 7.5 in (19 cm)
FOOD Insects
HABITAT Northern boreal forests and conifer forests farther south in range
STATUS Widespread and locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a rapid quip-wee-ber
