Empidonax virescens
adult
The Acadian Flycatcher is a rather plump-bodied flycatcher with a relatively large bill. The sexes are similar. Adults are dull yellow-green on the head, neck, and back, with paler—almost whitish—underparts that show a dull yellow-buff band across the breast. The wings are contrastingly dark, with two white wingbars. The head has a subtle whitish eyering and the lower mandible is pinkish orange. Juveniles are similar to adults but the wingbars are buffish, not white.
The Acadian Flycatcher is present as a breeding species in North America, mainly from April to August, its range being east and southeast U.S.A. It spends the rest of the year in Central and South America. In its favored forested habitat it usually perches mid-level, making flycatching forays for flying insects or picking invertebrates off the foliage. The distinctive song and call are often the first clues to the species’ presence in an area of forest.
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.5 in (14 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates
HABITAT Deciduous forests, especially near water
STATUS Widespread and locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a loud pe-Pswerp. Call is a sharp pweep
