Western Wood Pewee

Mostly a summer bird in Sonoma County, but migrants pass through as well. Numbers begin to pick up in mid-April, but seems most abundant during autumn migration. Uncommon from mid-October to the following spring. Preferred habitats are wooded areas and wooded edges, especially near water, but may be seen in suburbs with appropriate habitat during migration. Winters in South America. Often seen flycatching from a perch. Tends to forage lower in the canopy than Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) but higher than Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilus). Breeds mostly in the wooded western parts of the county.

Western Wood-Pewee is a medium-sized, brownish flycatcher with a slight crest. Lacks a distinct eye-ring, which separates it from Pacific-slope Flycatcher, our most common flycatcher aside from the very different Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans). Brownish-olive above. Drabber and less green than most of the Empidonax flycatchers. Pale, slightly yellowish underparts but with dusky flanks and upper breast, which give it the look of wearing a vest (photo below). Narrow, indistinct wing bars. Smudgy undertail coverts. Fairly long wingtips. Often confused with Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) during migration. The primary extension should be markedly longer than in Willow Flycatcher (see link below for more about primary extension). Comparatively short tail. Apparent shortness of tail accentuated by long primary extension.

Often seen flycatching from a perch, but Western Wood-Pewee tends to sit still, looking around for insects before flitting out to catch food, often returning immediately to the same perch. Note that pewees generally do not flick their tails like Empidonax flycatchers. In contrast, Willow Flycatcher appears fidgety, tending to change perches frequently, flicking its tail while perched. Aside from voice, that behavior is one of the best ways to separate Western Wood-Pewee and Willow Flycatcher when in doubt.

Voice: Western Wood-Pewee gives a nasal pee-yeee, or pee-eer, less clearly articulating “pee-wee” (from which the birds get their name) than Eastern Wood-Peewee (Cantopus virens). Willow Flycatcher says fitz-bew, often described as having a "sneezy" quality. Sibley describes this Willow Flycatcher vocalization as a "burry rrrEEP-yew." Call note is "whit." See links below to compare vocalizations.

Trivia: The Latin name sordidulus refers to the bird's "dirty" color.

What is primary extension?