Alder Flycatcher
A species of Empidonax flycatchers, Also known as Short-legged Pewee Scientific name : Empidonax alnorum Genus : Empidonax flycatchers
Alder Flycatcher, A species of Empidonax flycatchers
Also known as:
Short-legged Pewee
Botanical name: Empidonax alnorum
Genus: Empidonax flycatchers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Photo by David J. Stang , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
E. alnorum is one of the larger Empidonax species, attaining a length of 13–17 cm, and a mass of 12–14 g. The wingspan ranges from 8.3-9.4 in (21-24 cm). Upperparts of E. alnorum are dull greenish-olive. The crown is a slightly darker olive-green than the back. The throat is white, with a darker breast band. Thin white rings surround the eyes. The bill is wide and moderate in length, with pinkish or yellow-orange lower mandible and black upper mandible. Wings are generally black, with white wing bars and white edges of the innermost secondaries (tertials). Juveniles have brownish upperparts, yellow underparts, and yellowish brown or buff wingbars. E. alnorum is similar in appearance to the eastern wood-peewee (Contopus virens) and the eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), but E. alnorum can be distinguished by its smaller size and upward tail flicking behavior. Birds in the genus Empidonax are notoriously hard to identify. Novel approaches to identification have been employed to try and increase the accuracy of species identification of mist-netted individuals, such as using ratios of and differences between the measured lengths of various body parts, including wings and beaks. Vocalizations are often relied upon for identification to species in the field when birds cannot be manipulated by hand. 
Size
15 cm (5.75 in)
Colors
Brown
Black
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
7 years
Nest Placement
Shrub
Clutch Size
3 - 4 eggs
Incubation Period
1 brood
Number of Broods
11 - 14 days
Feeding Habits
Alder Flycatcher predominately feeds on insects, including wasps, beetles, flies, butterflies, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, captured midair or gleaned from foliage. In the non-breeding season, alder Flycatcher's diet diversifies to include fruits and seeds.
Habitat
Alder Flycatcher typically inhabits lush, shrubby wetlands for breeding, preferring areas rich in dense thickets composed of alder, willow, maple, and other moisture-loving trees, mostly found below 1300 ft. The species thrives in early-stage successional habitats with abundant vegetation, favoring wet meadows, overgrown beaver ponds, and humid woodland edges, especially those near water sources. During migration, alder Flycatcher adapts to a range of humid to semi-arid environments, including forest borders and fields, extending up to elevations of 2500 ft. Wintering habitats, although less documented, likely include similar scrubby or edge habitats at lower altitudes.
Nest Behavior
Timing of nest-building and egg-laying is conducted by alder Flycatcher during spring into early summer. Parents alternately incubate eggs, and both contribute to feeding and protecting the young.
Nest Characteristics
Alder Flycatcher typically nest low in dense, shrubby bushes. Their untidy, bulky cup nest is made of coarse grass, with distinctive 'streamers' of moss, cattail, and grass hanging from its bottom or rim.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Sounds
Song
Recording location: United States
Behavior
Alder Flycatcher typically engages in typical flycatcher activities such as perching attentively on tree branches and actively sallying forth for aerial or foliage-borne insects. They demonstrate seasonal monogamy and exhibit territoriality, particularly the males, who respond to rivals with distinctive visual displays and pursuit. Both sexes are invested parents, sharing duties in egg incubation and chick nourishment.
Distribution Area
The summer breeding range of the species covers most of Canada and Alaska, descending to a southernmost point in the northeastern United States. In autumn, E. alnorum migrates south through the eastern United States, Mexico and Central America, wintering in the western range of South America. In the summer breeding season, E. alnorum occupies wet, dense, shrubby thickets of alder (Alnus sp.), maple (Acer sp.), and birch (Betula sp.) at elevations below 1300 ft. During migration, the species occupies humid and semi-arid habitats, including forest edges and fields at elevations up to 2500 ft. Early successional scrubby vegetation or woodland edges are preferred habitats in winter, particularly those near water and below 1100 ft.
Species Status
E. alnorum is a species of least concern according to the IUCN Redlist. Population numbers are stable in the United States, but have declined in Canada by approximately 44% in the period 1966–2014. The species has a rating of 7 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, and is a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Tyrant flycatchers Genus
Empidonax flycatchers Species
Alder Flycatcher 
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