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Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: TYRANNIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Acadian Flycatcher Photo

© Greg W. Lasley/CLO

A denizen of mature deciduous forests and streamsides, the Acadian Flycatcher is usually first noticed by its explosive "peet-sah" call. It is the largest and greenest of the North American Empidonax i

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Appearance

Flycatchers
Flycatchers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small flycatcher.
  • Prominent eyering and wingbars.
  • Back greenish.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but wingbars buffier and body feathers with buffy edges.

Range Map Help

Acadian Flycatcher Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Eastern Wood-Pewee is browner, has no or only weak eyering, and has dirty smudging under the tail.
  • Difficult to distinguish from other Empidonax flycatchers (especially Willow and Alder), but is greener, has a paler face that does not contrast much with throat, and has a longer primary projection.
  • In fall can be confused with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher because of yellowish on throat and underparts. Yellow-bellied has shorter bill and tail, and the throat is more grayish yellow (compared with clear yellow in acadian).