Willow Flycatcher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWillow Flycatcher
Small, slender flycatcher. Brownish olive overall with a slight yellow wash to the belly. It has two whitish wingbars and a white throat that contrasts with the brownish olive breast.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 01, 2018The white throat contrasts with the gray chest band. The eyering is very narrow or nonexistent.
© mark daly / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 11, 2020A small brownish-olive flycatcher with a slight yellow wash to the belly, two whitish wingbars, and a white throat. Willow Flycatcher's emphatic "fitz-bew" song is the best way to differentiate it from the extremely similar Alder Flycatcher.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 30, 2022Not all videos have sound
© Daniel Irons / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, May 15, 2017
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, June 18, 2020
Gives a soft, dry whit often from exposed perches.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2004Not all videos have sound
Individuals breeding the the Southwest often paler than those in the East and Pacific Northwest.
© Bob Nieman / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, August 20, 2016© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, June 18, 2020
Brownish olive overall with a slight yellow wash to the belly (can be brighter, especially on birds in fresh plumage). Best identified by voice.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2004Not all videos have sound
Perches upright and often sings from the tops of bushes. Song is the best way to identify it.
© Adam Brandemihl / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 23, 2017Similar SpeciesAlder Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Alder Flycatchers are very similar to Willow Flycatchers and can only be separated in the field by voice. The Alder Flycatcher sings a burry free beer while the Willow Flycatcher sings a fitz-bew.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 20, 2012Similar SpeciesAcadian Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Acadian Flycatchers are brighter green above with a pale yellowish eyering that Willow Flycatchers lack. Acadian Flycatchers nest in Eastern forests while Willow Flycatchers nest in shrubby, often wet areas.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 28, 2013Similar SpeciesDusky Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Dusky Flycatchers have a much stronger white eyering and a narrower bill than Willow Flycatchers. Dusky Flycatchers sing a bean-dip while Willow Flycatchers sing fitz-bew.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryNevada, June 07, 2016Similar SpeciesWestern Wood-Pewee
Adult/immature
Western Wood-Pewees have longer wings and tails than Willow Flycatchers with a stronger peaked head. Wood-pewees tend to repeatedly return to the same perch high in the canopy, whereas Willows flit around in shrubs.
© Brian Hoffe / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, June 19, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Wood-Pewee
Adult/immature
Eastern Wood-Pewees have longer wings and tails than Willow Flycatchers with a stronger peaked head. Wood-pewees tend to repeatedly return to the same perch high in the canopy, whereas Willows flit around in shrubs.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryOrange Walk, May 11, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Phoebe
Adult/immature
Eastern Phoebes have darker heads and much less distinct wingbars than Willow Flycatchers. Eastern Phoebes also habitually bob their tails when perched.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 22, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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