Empidonax difficilis
adult
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher is very similar to the Cordilleran Flycatcher and the two are only really separable by noting the call and breeding range. The sexes are similar. Adults have olive-brown upperparts and pale underparts, palest on the throat and belly. Like Cordilleran, the relatively large eye is accentuated by a white eyering that broadens behind it. The broad-based bill has an orange-pink lower mandible. The wings are dark overall with pale fringes to the inner flight feathers and two pale wingbars. Juveniles are similar to adults but the wing feather fringes and wingbars are buff.
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher is present as a breeding species mainly from May to August. Its breeding range is western North America and, as its name suggests, it is restricted to the coastal belt. It spends the rest of the year in Central America. It often adopts an upright posture when perched and engages in flycatching forays after flying insects.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.5 in (14 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates
HABITAT Damp conifer woodlands
STATUS Locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song usually comprises three repeated phrases: a thin tsi; a loud tsche-wee; and thin, sharp pik. Call is a slurred tsweep
