Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

Length: 5.5 inches	Wingspan: 8 inches	Seasonality: Non-resident in South Dakota
ID Keys: Olive-brown overall plumage for most birds, darker wings with two white wingbars. Channel Islands birds are grayer.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher - Empidonax difficilis The Pacific-slope Flycatcher and the Cordilleran Flycatcher are virtually identical, and were once considered one species, the "Western Flycatcher". In appearance, there's very little to tell the species apart, although the Pacific-slope Flycatcher is said to be very slightly smaller with a slightly shorter bill. The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by voice, and by geographic range.

Habitat: Found in moist forests near the Pacific coast, and while it can be found in areas dominated by conifer forest, they are most commonly found in pockets of deciduous forest.

Diet: Feeds on insects and spiders. They will also occasionally eat berries and seeds.

Behavior: Forages by observing from a perch, and then flying out to capture insects in mid-air, or hovering and gleaning insects from foliage and branches.

Nesting: The nest of a Pacific-slope Flycatcher is an open cup built of mosses, strips of bark, grasses, and leaves, lined with finer vegetative material. The female usually lays 3 or 4 eggs, and she alone incubates them. When the eggs hatch, both parents help to feed the young. The young fledge after about 2 weeks.

Song: Song of a Pacific-slope Flycatcher is a high-pitched series of three phrases...ptsip..seewi...tseet.

Migration: Well-named, the Pacific-slope Flycatcher summers in forests near the Pacific coast. In winter, it is found in western and southern Mexico.

Interactive eBird Map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Pacific Slope Flycatcher sightings

Similar Species: Cordilleran Flycatcher

Conservation Status: Populations appear to be decreasing, but they are still found over a wide geographic area and overall populations are not seriously threatened. The IUCN lists the Pacific-slope Flycatcher as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information: 1) BirdWeb.org - Pacific-slope Flycatcher

2) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter - Pacific-slope Flycatcher

3) Whatbird - Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Photo Information: Photo taken by Linda Tanner - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

Click below for a higher-resolution map

South Dakota Status: Non-resident in South Dakota

Additional Pacific-slope Flycatcher Photos (coming soon!!)