Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax)

The Greater Pewee is the largest member of the pewee genus and is found in pine-oak forests and montane woodlands from the southwestern United States south through Mexico and into Central America. It is a quiet, unobtrusive flycatcher that typically hunts from exposed perches, making short aerial sallies to capture flying insects before returning to the same perch. Adults have grayish-brown upperparts, pale underparts, and a relatively long tail, giving them a slender appearance. The species builds a neat cup nest on a horizontal tree branch, where both parents help raise the young. In North America, the Greater Pewee is an uncommon and localized breeder, occurring primarily in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico during the breeding season. Although not often seen because of its preference for mature mountain forests, it is more frequently detected by its distinctive whistled song.

Habitat

The Greater Pewee inhabits mature pine-oak forests, montane woodlands, mixed conifer forests, and wooded canyons in mountainous regions. It prefers open forests with scattered large trees and exposed perches from which it can hunt flying insects. In the United States, it is found primarily in high-elevation mountain forests of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

Diet

The Greater Pewee feeds almost entirely on flying insects, including flies, beetles, wasps, bees, moths, and other aerial arthropods. It typically hunts by sallying from an exposed perch to capture prey in midair before returning to the same perch. Small berries and other fruits may occasionally be eaten, particularly outside the breeding season.

Behavior

The Greater Pewee is a quiet, patient flycatcher that spends much of its time perched high in the canopy, scanning for flying insects. It captures prey with short aerial sallies before returning to the same or a nearby perch. During the breeding season, males defend territories with persistent singing, while the species generally remains solitary or occurs in pairs.

Nesting

The nest of a Greater Pewee is a cup of grasses, leaves, weed stems, and roots, placed in the fork of a tree. The outside is typically decorated with lichen. The female usually lays 3 or 4 eggs, and both parents help to feed the young when the eggs hatch.

Song

The song of a Greater Pewee is a series of deliberate, clear whistles. The song of the Greater Pewee has earned the species the nickname "Jose Maria" in Mexico, a rough approximation of the beautiful whistled phrases.

Migration

Considered a permanent resident throughout much of its range in Mexico and Central America. Those in Arizona and New Mexico migrate southward for the winter, although occasionally a handful will overwinter.

Interactive eBird Map

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Greater Pewee sightings

Compared with Olive-sided Flycatcher: The Greater Pewee is smaller and slimmer than the Olive-sided Flycatcher and lacks the bold dark "vest" created by contrasting dark sides and a bright white center of the breast. Greater Pewees have plainer gray-brown plumage, a longer tail, and are typically found in pine-oak forests of the Southwest.

Compared with Western Wood-Pewee: The Greater Pewee is noticeably larger, with a heavier bill, longer tail, and darker gray-brown plumage than the Western Wood-Pewee. Greater Pewees also have a slower, more deliberate demeanor and a distinctive whistled song, while Western Wood-Pewees give the familiar plaintive "pee-a-wee" call and are much more widespread across western North America.

Conservation Status

The Greater Pewee is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its broad range from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America and its apparently stable population. Although localized habitat loss may affect some populations, the species remains fairly common in suitable montane forest habitats and is not currently considered globally threatened.

Further Information

Photo Information

Photo taken by Amy McAndrews - February 11th, 2011 - Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico - Photo licensed under Creative Common Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.