How to Spot a Willow Flycatcher

Spotting a Willow Flycatcher can be difficult if you don't know what to look and listen for. You can differentiate this particular Flycatcher from other Flycatcher species by its song.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look for the Willow Flycatcher in moist areas, such as thickets, marshes and swamps. The bird also lives in brushy areas and in pastures. You'll see it during the summer in southern Canada and throughout the central United States. In the winter, the Willow Flycatcher migrates Central and South America.

2. Note the Willow Flycatcher's size. This small bird ranges in length from 5 to 7 inches and weighs approximately .3 to .6 oz. The wingspan of the Willow Flycatcher ranges from 7 to 9 inches.

3. Observe the Willow Flycatcher's appearance. This bird has dull olive to brownish gray upperparts, light gray to pale yellow underparts and dark feet. They have a thin ring of white around their eyes and two white bars on their rounded wings. The bill is short with a pale yellow lower half and a dark upper half. Willow Flycatchers also have a square shaped tail of medium length.

4. Listen for the song, a harsh "fitz bew" that is accented on its first syllable. You can listen to the Willow Flycatcher's song on the What Bird website (see Resources below).

5. Watch the Willow Flycatcher fly. This bird is a weak flyer despite its rapid wing beats.

Tips & Warnings

• The Willow Flycatcher looks like the Alder Flycatcher. Differentiate between these two birds by listening to their songs.
• Male and female Willow Flycatchers have a similar appearance.

Resources

• Listen to the distinctive song of the Willow Flycatcher here.