The Eastern wood pewee is a small North American songbird that is a member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This species breeds in eastern North America and migrates to Central America for the winter. The Eastern wood pewee is known for its distinctive “pee-ah-wee” song, which gives this bird its common name. But just how small is this vocal little songbird? Let’s take a closer look at the size of the Eastern wood pewee.
Wingspan
The wingspan of an adult Eastern wood pewee measures approximately 6.3 inches (16 cm). This slender-bodied bird has long wings relative to its body size, which gives it a light and airy appearance in flight. The wings are moderately pointed, which suits the pewee’s aerial hunting style as it swoops from a perch to catch flying insects on the wing.
Length
From the tip of its bill to the tip of its tail, an adult Eastern wood pewee measures roughly 5.5 to 6.5 inches (14 to 16.5 cm) in length. This makes the pewee slightly smaller than a sparrow. Within the typical length range for the species, males tend to be very slightly larger than females. However, size overlap makes it difficult to distinguish gender based on length alone.
Weight
These petite songbirds weigh just 10 to 14 grams (0.35 to 0.5 oz) on average. To put that tiny weight into perspective, a nickel weighs approximately 5 grams. So a pewee weighs about as much as 2 to 3 nickels. Their light body weight allows them to nimbly chase and catch insects while in flight.
Size Comparisons
When compared to other familiar bird species, the dainty proportions of the Eastern wood pewee become even more apparent.
Sparrows
The Eastern wood pewee is very similar in overall size to many sparrow species. For example, a Chipping Sparrow is about 4.75 to 5.5 inches (12 to 14 cm) in length and weighs between 11 to 15 grams. So while the pewee averages slightly longer, both birds fall within the same petite range.
Warblers
Warblers are tiny songbirds, and the Eastern wood pewee is quite comparable to these small, active insects. A Common Yellowthroat warbler reaches 4.5 to 5.25 inches (11.5 to 13.5 cm) in length and weighs just 8 to 12 grams. So while warblers may be a bit more diminutive on average, the pewee is still a small bird by any measure.
Chickadees
Let’s compare the Eastern wood pewee to our tiniest backyard bird, the chickadee. A familiar Black-capped Chickadee measures about 4.5 to 6 inches (11.5 to 15 cm) in length and weighs between 10 to 14 grams. So while chickadees are shorter in length, their weight range perfectly overlaps with the pewee’s. Overall these species are quite closely matched in their petite proportions.
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are the tiniest of all our regular backyard birds. For example, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird reaches just 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) in length and weighs only 2.5 to 4 grams. So while the hummingbird is the hands-down winner for smallest size, the pewee is still a petite and lightweight bird compared to many songbirds.
Key Size Statistics
| Measurement | Eastern Wood Pewee Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.5 to 6.5 in (14 to 16.5 cm) |
| Wingspan | Approximately 6.3 in (16 cm) |
| Weight | 10 to 14 g (0.35 to 0.5 oz) |
To summarize the key size statistics:
– Length ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 inches
– Average wingspan is around 6.3 inches
– Weight ranges from 10 to 14 grams
So while the Eastern wood pewee is not the absolute smallest songbird, it is still considered a tiny bird. Its light weight and compact size allow it to expertly hawk flying insects.
Appearance
Now that we’ve covered the objective size measurements of the Eastern wood pewee, let’s discuss how this species appears to the casual observer when seen in the field.
Slim Profile
The pewee has a very slender, elongated profile. This slim shape gives it a nimble, graceful look accentuated by long wings and a proportionately long tail. The pewee seems to almost cut through the air when it flies thanks to its smooth, streamlined silhouette.
Large Head
While the pewee’s body is slim, its head appears somewhat large and rounded compared to the rest of its proportions. This oversized head gives the bird a front-heavy stance when perched. It also creates a rather unique outline in flight, with a bulbous head flowing back into a slim, tapered tail.
Upright Stance
The pewee has an upright, vertical posture when sitting on an open perch. The wings are held close against the body, while the tail angles slightly downwards. This upright perching stance is characteristic of many flycatchers. It allows them to spot insects while remaining ready to launch into flight at a moment’s notice.
Long Wings
The long, broad wings of the pewee are disproportionately large compared to the bird’s petite body size. Fully extended, the wings appear very wide and rectangular. This generous wing surface area provides lift and aerial agility, allowing the pewee to nimbly pursue insects high up into the sky.
Tiny Size
When seen next to other birds, the Eastern wood pewee’s small size immediately becomes apparent. It looks quite diminutive and almost dainty compared to larger songbirds like robins and cardinals. The pewee seems to almost get lost against a backdrop of trees and sky thanks to its tiny proportions.
In Flight
Observing the Eastern wood pewee in active flight really highlights its minuscule stature. Let’s look at some key ways we can recognize this species by its distinctive in-flight characteristics.
Bounding Flight Pattern
The pewee has an aerially agile, bounding flight pattern. It flies with quick wingbeats interspersed with brief gliding intervals. This creates a bouncy, undulating flight style as the little bird pursues insects on the wing.
Light and Buoyant
Watching the pewee fly, you get a sense of how light and buoyant it is. Its small body and long wings give it outstanding aerial maneuverability. It zips and turns with ease, riding air currents as it bounds after flying bugs. The pewee seems to almost float at times, thanks to its feather-light body weight.
High Foraging
Pewees forage for insects on the wing, frequently feeding very high up. Watching a tiny pewee chasing bugs far overhead gives you an instant appreciation of just how petite this species truly is. The pewee’s small size is strikingly apparent when viewed from below during its lofty aerial pursuits.
Fluttering Wings
A pewee’s wings flutter continuously as it changes direction during aerial foraging. The wings make quick stroking motions followed by brief pauses as the bird bounds through the air. Watching a pewee from below as it flies overhead, you can clearly see its tiny body silhouetted between rapidly fluttering wingbeats.
Perch Hunting
Pewees also catch insects by sallying out from an open perch. Seeing a small pewee launch from a bare branch in pursuit of passing prey highlights its compact proportions. The nimble bird almost seems to bounce or spring from its perch into flight thanks to its tiny size and light weight.
Conservation Status
The Eastern wood pewee has a large breeding range and global population estimated at 31 million birds. Its numbers declined by 1.3% per year from 1966 to 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Habitat loss on the wintering grounds in Central America may contribute to declines. However, the pewee’s overall population remains relatively healthy and it is classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Maintaining large intact forests across North America will help ensure adequate future breeding habitat is available for this tiny forest songbird.
Conclusion
In summary, while not the absolute smallest songbird species, the Eastern wood pewee is still considered a petite bird. Its slim profile, feather-light body weight, and diminutive length of just 5.5 to 6.5 inches give it a distinctly tiny overall stature. When seen next to larger bird species or observed high up during aerial foraging, the pewee’s miniature size becomes even more apparent. So next time you hear the “pee-ah-wee” call of this little flycatcher, remember that it comes from one of our tiniest avian insect hunters. With a wingspan of just 6 inches and weighing less than a nickel, the aptly named Eastern wood pewee is a perfectly pint-sized songster.
