Alder Flycatcher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAlder Flycatcher
Small flycatcher with a round head. Greenish olive above with 2 pale wingbars and a thin white eyering that is often difficult to see. Note white throat.
© Simon Best / Macaulay LibraryPrince Edward Island, June 19, 2018Greenish olive above with 2 pale wingbars and a thin white eyering, clearly visible on this individual.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 04, 2011Song (audible in background) is a buzzy "free beer" or "fee-bee-o," somewhat similar to Eastern Phoebe.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2007Not all videos have sound
Small flycatcher with a round head. Greenish olive above with 2 pale wingbars and a thin white eyering that is often difficult to see. Note white throat.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 25, 2019From the front the white throat stands out against the gray chest band. Sometimes raises crown feathers. Eyering is very thin and sometimes not visible.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryVermont, July 12, 2020Breeds in shrubby wetlands or wet thickets with alders. Extremely similar to Willow Flycatcher; song is the most reliable "field mark."
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 20, 2012Similar SpeciesWillow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatchers are very similar to Alder Flycatchers and are only separable in the field by voice. Willow Flycatchers sing a fitz-bew while Alder Flycatchers sing a burry free beer.
© Michiel Oversteegen / Macaulay LibraryAruba, October 16, 2016Similar SpeciesAcadian Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatchers have brighter olive-green backs than Alder Flycatchers, which have grayer backs. Note vocal differences.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 28, 2013Similar SpeciesEastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Wood-Pewees have longer wings and tails than Alder Flycatchers with a stronger peaked head. Wood-pewees tend to repeatedly return to the same perch high in the canopy, whereas Alders flit around in shrubs.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryOrange Walk, May 11, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebes have darker heads and much less distinct wingbars than Alder Flycatchers. Eastern Phoebes also habitually bob their tails when perched.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 22, 2017Similar SpeciesLeast Flycatcher
Least Flycatchers are smaller than Alder Flycatchers with a smaller bill and a more obvious eyering.
© Kyle Blaney / Macaulay LibraryOntario, August 26, 2015Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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