Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Rangewide Distribution: Southwestern Canada, northern through central United States
Abundance: Common
Breeding Habitat: Swamps, scrubby areas & thickets, especially willow
Nest: Compact cup of bark, weeds & grass lined with fine material in tree
Eggs: 3-4 buff, occasionally white, with brown spots at large end
Incubation: 12-13 days
Fledging: 12-14 days

image of Willow FlycatcherWillow Flycatchers frequent willows in wetlands and saplings in ungrazed pastures near streams. The "fitz-bew" calls are usually the first indication of their presence, easily distinguishing them from the "we-beo" songs of the look-alike migrant Alder Flycatchers. Willow and Alder Flycatchers were formerly considered the same species, the Trail's Flycatcher. This species has apparently benefited by the reduction of grazing and the retention of willows along watercourses (Ehrlich et al. 1988.)

Code Frequency

This species was recorded in only 5.9 percent of blocks and breeding was confirmed in only 11.3 percent of those where it was observed. The restricted patchy nature of its habitat probably contributes to its sparse distribution and limited detection.

Distribution

Willow Flycatcher records were rather sparsely distributed statewide and were likely associated with wetland areas containing young willows. Widmann (1907) indicated that they were found in the Glaciated and Osage Plains natural divisions and south along the Big Rivers Natural Division to Ste. Genevieve County. This was a much more restricted range than Atlasers detected.

Phenology

With only eight confirmed records, there was insufficient information to assess the phenology of this species. Sight records began on May 16, but were outside safe dates.

Notes

One instance of Brown-headed Cowbird brood parasitism was observed. The Willow Flycatcher is one of the more heavily parasitized bird species (Ehrlich et al. 1988).
Breeding Phenology
Evidence (# of Records) MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP
NB (1) 5/31 5/31
NE (3) 6/11 6/23
NY (1) 6/10 6/10
FY (2) 6/16 8/05

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 71 (5.9%) of 1,207 blocks

image of pie chart
Blocks % of Blocks
  Confirmed 8 11.3%
Probable 21 29.6%
  Possible 42 59.1%
image of Missouri distribution map

Home|Lists of Illustrations and Tables|Preface|Acknowledgments|Introduction|The Natural Divisions of Missouri|Guide to Species Accounts|Index of Bird Accounts|Appendix A.|Appendix B.|Appendix C.|Appendix D.|Appendix E.|Literature Cited

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