The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a small flycatcher found in eastern North America. This common bird breeds in deciduous and mixed forests across much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. As its name suggests, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is closely associated with wooded habitats. But just how common is this forest songbird? Let’s take a closer look at the abundance and distribution of the Eastern Wood-Pewee to understand its status.
Geographic Range
The Eastern Wood-Pewee has a large geographic range across eastern North America. Its breeding range stretches from southern Ontario and southern Quebec west to eastern Montana, Wyoming, and eastern Colorado. From there, it reaches south to eastern Texas and the Florida panhandle. The Eastern Wood-Pewee winters primarily in Central America and northern South America, though some individuals may overwinter in the extreme southern parts of its breeding range in the United States.
This extensive breeding range covers 31 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. The Eastern Wood-Pewee can be found in appropriate habitat across much of the eastern half of the continent. Its large range and widespread distribution contribute to the relative abundance of this species.
Habitat Preferences
Within its broad geographic range, the Eastern Wood-Pewee occupies a variety of wooded habitat types. This species prefers forests with an open understory and mid-level canopy layer. It is most often found in mature deciduous forests, including oak, hickory, maple, beech, and ash. The Eastern Wood-Pewee also inhabits mixed forests, pine-oak woodlands, parks, and suburban areas with tall trees.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee is uncommon in dense, damp forests, including rainforests and boreal forests. It prefers drier forests and woodlands. This habitat specificity helps explain the large geographic range but localized distribution of the Eastern Wood-Pewee. It is abundant in favored habitats but absent from unsuitable forests.
Population and Conservation Status
Due to its extensive range and stable population trends, the Eastern Wood-Pewee has a conservation status of Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 14 million Eastern Wood-Pewees. Breeding Bird Survey data from 1966-2019 shows a 0.80% annual decline in Eastern Wood-Pewee populations. However, the cumulative loss is only about 12%, indicating relatively stable populations overall.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. and Canada. While still relatively common, major threats to the species include habitat loss from logging and development as well as increased mortality from collisions with towers and buildings during migration. Monitoring and protection of breeding and migratory habitat will be important for the continued conservation of the Eastern Wood-Pewee.
Relative Abundance
The large population size, vast breeding range, and stable trends indicate that the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a relatively common bird. Just how abundant is it across its range? Breeding bird survey data provides an index of relative abundance that allows us to compare the prevalence of the Eastern Wood-Pewee to other species.
According to the most recent Breeding Bird Survey data, Eastern Wood-Pewees have a mean relative abundance of 67.7 individuals per route. This ranks it as the 46th most common breeding bird in the survey area out of over 400 species. In comparison, the Northern Cardinal ranks #1 with a relative abundance of 545 individuals per route. The scarcer Golden-winged Warbler ranks #369 with a relative abundance of just 2.5 individuals.
Among eastern forest birds, the Eastern Wood-Pewee’s relative abundance ranks 9th out of over 100 species. Its abundance is surpassed in those habitats only by more common songbirds like the Red-eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, and others. So while not the most numerous species overall, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is indeed one of the more prevalent breeding birds in its favored mature, open forests.
Regional Variations in Abundance
The Eastern Wood-Pewee’s abundance varies across different parts of its breeding range. This reflects regional differences in habitat and the suitability of local conditions. Analyzing relative abundance by Bird Conservation Region allows us to understand geographic patterns in Eastern Wood-Pewee populations.
| Bird Conservation Region | Average Relative Abundance |
|---|---|
| Eastern Tallgrass Prairie | 28.8 |
| Central Hardwoods | 64.5 |
| Atlantic Northern Forest | 16.3 |
| Appalachian Mountains | 80.7 |
| Piedmont | 114.3 |
| New England/Mid-Atlantic Coast | 53.2 |
The Piedmont region has the highest relative abundance at 114 individuals per route. Intermediate levels are seen in the Central Hardwoods, Appalachians and coastal areas. Lowest abundances occur in the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Atlantic Northern Forest. This aligns with habitat preferences, as grasslands and dense northern forests are less suitable. The Piedmont offers widespread oak-hickory woodlands that provide optimal Eastern Wood-Pewee habitat.
Seasonal Variations in Abundance
As a migratory songbird, the Eastern Wood-Pewee shows major seasonal fluctuations in abundance. The breeding season lasts from May to August across most of the range. Migration to and from wintering grounds occurs April-May and August-October. The highest numbers are present during the breeding season on territories in summer. After breeding, individuals congregate in mixed flocks prior to fall migration.
Breeding Bird Survey data reveals how Eastern Wood-Pewee abundance varies by week across the stages of the annual cycle:
| Time Period | Average Birds per Route |
|---|---|
| May | 8.2 |
| June | 67.4 |
| July | 98.1 |
| August | 38.7 |
| September | 14.3 |
| October | 2.9 |
Peak numbers occur in July during nesting and brood-rearing. Early fall migration begins in August, while most migration happens through September and October. Some transient birds may appear during May as the main arrival period begins. But abundance is lowest outside the core breeding months.
Diurnal and Seasonal Patterns
Eastern Wood-Pewees exhibit variability in activity and detectability over the course of a day and the seasons. This influences perceived abundance throughout the day and year.
In general, Eastern Wood-Pewees are most active and vocal during the morning and evening hours. Peak calling occurs for several hours after dawn and before dusk. More singing happens early in the breeding season to attract mates and defend territories. After eggs hatch, vocalizations decrease but activity remains high while tending nestlings.
Due to their secretive nature on the nest, perceived numbers often decline in mid-summer after breeding. Observed numbers increase again in late summer and fall when Eastern Wood-Pewees begin congregating in mixed flocks prior to migration. Any survey or monitoring program for Eastern Wood-Pewees must account for these daily and seasonal fluctuations in activity and detectability.
Population Density
In optimal habitat during the height of the breeding season, territory sizes for breeding Eastern Wood-Pewees range from 1.5 to 3 hectares. This equates to a breeding density of approximately 300-400 pairs per 100 hectares or 1 pair per 2.5-3 acres. Of course, density varies locally based on habitat suitability and competition from other insectivorous birds.
Some reported Empire State Forest density estimates:
| Location | Density |
|---|---|
| Western NY | 0.32 males/ha |
| Southern Tier | 0.48 males/ha |
| Northern Catskills | 0.16 males/ha |
Highest densities occur in more southerly oak-hickory forests. Lower density in the Catskills reflects suboptimal habitat with more mixed forests. Density is also affected by forest succession stage, with highest levels in mature, open canopy stands. Preferred habitat supports much denser populations of this species.
Population Trends Over Time
Long-term data helps us understand how Eastern Wood-Pewee populations have fared over recent decades. Breeding Bird Survey trend results from 1966-2019 provide a good assessment:
| Time Period | Population Trend |
| 1966-2019 | -0.80% per year |
| 2005-2019 | -0.41% per year |
The overall decline since 1966 is about 12%, indicating relative stability in the long term. The past 15 years show a slower rate of decline, suggesting populations may be stabilizing more recently. Compared to precipitous declines in some aerial insectivores like swifts and swallows, the Eastern Wood-Pewee seems to be faring decently well over the past half century. Continued monitoring is important to detect any acceleration in declines that may warrant conservation action.
Threats and Conservation Concerns
While still a relatively common bird, the Eastern Wood-Pewee does face a variety of threats and conservation issues:
– Habitat loss from forest fragmentation, logging, development
– Increased nest predation and competition from edge effects
– Reduction in insect prey from pesticides and loss of canopy insects
– Mortality during migration from collisions with towers and buildings
– Potential impacts from climate change on migration timing and breeding habitats
Habitat protection for this forest-dependent songbird is a key conservation need. The Eastern Wood-Pewee serves as an indicator of forest ecosystem health. Targeted monitoring, research, and conservation planning focused on aerial insectivores like the Eastern Wood-Pewee may aid populations of this species and other declining birds that share its habitat and prey base.
Conclusion
In summary, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a relatively abundant songbird across much of its breeding range in eastern North America. Core populations thrive in open, mature deciduous forests where this species reaches high densities during the summer breeding season. The Eastern Wood-Pewee undergoes seasonal migrations and exhibits daily cycles in vocalization and activity levels. Its overall populations appear stable in the long term, though localized declines have occurred in some regions. With widespread but localized distribution tied closely to wooded habitats, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a common breeding bird across appropriate forested areas in the East. Careful habitat management and protection of both breeding and migratory habitats will help maintain thriving populations of the Eastern Wood-Pewee.
