Contopus cooperi
(Olive-sided Flycatcher)
Physical
Description:
Size: 7-8" (18-20cm).
A large, stocky, short-tailed flycatcher. Adults a drab olive-brown on the back
and flanks
. Olive of flanks almost
meets on its white chest, giving it the appearance of wearing a vest. Head large
with a thick bill. Immatures are similar to adults, but are often darker above
and below.
Similar Species- Western Wood-Pewee is smaller, paler and longer tailed. Also lacks the vested look.
Song:
The
song of the Olive-sided Flycatcher is a very distinct, three-parted whistle
with the second note higher than the first and descending to the third. Some
say it sounds like: Quick-Three-Beers! Call is a repetitious pip-pip-pip.
Distribution:
Breeds
from portions of Alaska and Canada, south (west of Rockies) to northern Baja
California, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas, and (east of Rockies) through
portions of Midwest, Northeast, and middle Atlantic states. Winters in mountains
of South America, and in small numbers in Central America and southern Mexico.
Habitat:
Found in forests and woodlands (especially
in burned-over areas with standing dead trees) such as taiga, subalpine coniferous forests, mixed forests,
boreal bogs, muskeg, and borders of lakes
and streams. Idaho study found species responded psitively in numbers to single-tree
logging.
Diet:
Eats insects.
Ecology:
Hunts from perch. Builds cup-shaped
nest in coniferous or deciduous tree. Usually territorial
in non-breeding areas.
3-4 eggs for 16-17 days.
Young usually leave nest in 15-19 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPAE32010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G? |
| State Rank: | S?,NTMB |
Important
State References:
Medin, D.E. and G.D. Booth. 1989. Responses
of birds and small mammals to single-tree selection logging in Idaho. USDA Forest
Service Int. Res. Station Res. Paper INT-408, Boise. 11pp.