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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: TYRANNIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A small drab flycatcher of wet, brushy areas, the Willow Flycatcher is best identified by its voice. Nearly identical to the Alder Flycatcher; the two species were considered the same until the 1970s.

Read Cornell Lab of Ornithology's blog, Round Robin
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Appearance

Flycatchers
Flycatchers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small flycatcher.
  • Two whitish wingbars.
  • Thin white eyering may be lacking.

Immature Description

Immatures browner above, yellower below, and wingbars buff or yellowish brown.

Range Map Help

Willow Flycatcher Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Willow Flycatcher

    Adult
    • © Michael J. Hopiak/CLO

Similar Species

  • Alder Flycatcher is virtually identical, identifiable only by voice.
  • Other Empidonax flycatchers have more prominent eyerings.