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Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: TYRANNIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Eastern Wood-Pewee Photo

© Michael J.Hopiak/CLO

One of the hallmark species of the Eastern deciduous forest, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is an inconspicuous dull brown bird of the middle canopy. Despite its abundance, this bird could be easily overlooked if not for its persistent "pee-ah-wee" song.

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Appearance

Flycatchers
Flycatchers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized flycatcher.
  • Grayish olive above.
  • Pale below, with darker wash on breast and sides.
  • Whitish wingbars.
  • No eyering or only a faint one.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but wingbars buffier.

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Similar Species

  • Not safely distinguishable from Western Wood-Pewee by sight, only by song. Western has a harsh, buzzy "peer" instead of the clear whistled song of the Eastern.
  • Olive-sided Flycatcher has more indistinct wingbars, and larger and darker patches on the side of the breast that contrast strongly with a white center; also occasionally shows white tufts on the sides of the rump.
  • Eastern Phoebe persistently wags its tail, has an all-dark bill, and has only indistinct wingbars or lacks them entirely.
  • Distinguished from Empidonax flycatchers by weak, broken eyering and dirty smudging under tail.