Western Wood-Pewee

Overview

Western Wood-Pewee: Medium-sized flycatcher with dull olive-gray upperparts and pale olive-gray underparts. Head has darker cap and slight crest. The wings are dark with two white bars. Feeds on insects, spiders and berries. Quiet and solitary. Weak fluttering flight with shallow rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Western Wood-Pewee: Breeds from eastern Alaska, Mackenzie, and Manitoba south through western U.S. Spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, woodland edges, and orchards.

INTERESTING FACTS

In a few areas along the western edge of the Great Plains the two pewees occur together without interbreeding-conclusive evidence that despite their great similarity, they are distinct species.
It makes a clapping noise with its bill while chasing and attacking intruders in nest defense.
The Eastern and Western Wood-Pewees are very difficult to tell apart visually, the two birds were formerly considered to be one species.
A group of pewees are collectively known as a "dribble" and a "squirt" of pewees.

The Western Wood-Pewee is a small flycatcher that looks much like the Eastern Wood-Pewee; these two species were once considered to be the same bird. Preferred breeding sights are found in open wooded areas throughout western North America. During the winter months, this species will migrate to central South America for warmer climates. Nests are built in tree cavities or are cup-shaped and placed on horizontal tree branches in the forest, especially California black oak forests. Diets consist mainly of insects, which are gleaned from surrounding vegetation or caught in-flight. The conservation rating for the Western Wood-Pewee is Least Concern.