Empidonax minimus

Description

The least flycatcher is one of the smallest flycatchers in North America. They have a prominent white eye ring. Least flycatchers have two prominent wing bars, a brownish to olive back, and whitish underparts.

Voice

Their call is a harsh, two noted che-bek.

Habitat

They like semi-open woodlands, orchards, brushland, wooded edges, and wooded ravines.

Diet

In the winter, least flycatchers will eat fruit but mostly they eat insects.

Range

During the summer, least flycatchers spend their time in northern Canada, but they do migrate through the United States down to Mexico and South America for the winter. They will migrate throughout the whole eastern United States to Texas and New Mexico.

Other Useful Information

Unlike most song birds, adult least flycatchers wait until they have reached their wintering grounds before they molt for the year. Their young molt either before or during migration.

Similar Species

Acadian flycatcher, yellow-bellied flycatcher, willow flycatcher, and alder flycatcher.