Contopus sordidulus
Following this bird's characteristic, down-slurred call normally leads to the mid-level of the forest, where the Western Wood-Pewee calls persistently throughout the day. It chooses a perch beneath the crown of a tree, on a snag or on a branch, from which to launch itself in long, looping foraging ventures. The nest of the Western Wood-Pewee is well camouflaged by both its shape and color-the completed structure resembles a bump on a horizontal limb. Despite this concealing masterpiece, these small flycatchers vigorously defend their nests by chasing and vocalizing against hawks, jays and chipmunks. Contopus is Latin for 'short foot,' a reference to the wood-pewee's small feet; sordidulus refers to this bird's dirty, dusky color. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: dark olive-brown upperparts; light underparts; 2 faint white wing bars; no eye ring; light-colored lower mandible; light undertail coverts; light-colored throat. Size: L 5-6 in. (13-15 cm). Range: uncommon to common migrant and breeder in the Rockies. Habitat: open woodlands and deciduous, ponderosa pine and riparian forests in the foothills and the montane. Nesting: on a horizontal limb in a tree; small cup nest is made with plant fibers and bound with spider silk; female incubates 3 eggs for 12-13 days. Feeding: flycatches insects. Voice: plaintive whistle, peee you, that drops off at the end; song is fee-rrr-eet. Similar Species: Olive-sided Flycatcher: white rump patches; larger. Dusky, Hammond's and Least flycatchers: white eye rings. Willow Flycatcher: darker lower mandible; browner upperparts; lighter underparts. |
