The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a medium-sized songbird found in forests across North America. With its distinct plumage and vocalizations, the Olive-sided Flycatcher is a unique bird that can be identified by birders of all skill levels. By learning some key identification points about appearance, behavior, habitat, range, and sound, you’ll be able to spot an Olive-sided Flycatcher in no time. Keep reading to find out the answer to the question, “How do you identify an Olive-sided Flycatcher?”
Appearance
Olive-sided Flycatchers have a very distinctive appearance that makes them relatively easy to identify visually. Some key points include:
Size and Shape
– About 6.5-7.5 inches in length with a 13-15 inch wingspan
– Medium-sized songbird, but large-headed for an empid (flycatcher)
– Heavy-bodied, short-tailed, large-headed profile
Plumage
– Olive-brown upperparts
– White throat contrasting with olive-gray breast
– Dark olive-brown streaking on breast
– White tufts on flanks when perched
– Dark brown wings with white patches visible in flight
– White-tipped tail
Facial Pattern
– Dark brown crown
– White eyering
– Dark eyeline through eye
– Pale yellow-olive undertail coverts
– Dark bill with pale lower mandible
So in summary, the Olive-sided Flycatcher is a medium-sized, heavy-bodied songbird with a short tail, large head, and distinctive olive-brown and white plumage. The white tufts on the flanks and white patches in the wings help distinguish it from other similar empid flycatchers.
Behavior
In addition to visual identification, the behavior of Olive-sided Flycatchers can aid in identification:
Foraging
– Often perches upright on high, exposed perch then flies out to catch insects in flight.
– Aerial flycatcher, catching insects on the wing.
– Makes frequent short, circular sallies from perch.
Movement
– Bouyant, direct flight with quick wing beats when flying.
– Perches upright prominently, often choosing tall trees, snags, tops of bushes.
Habits
– Solitary, not social even during migration.
– Aggressive in defending territory, will chase away other birds.
So in terms of behavior, the Olive-sided Flycatcher is a fairly active and aggressive aerial insectivore that perches prominently on high, open perches. Its foraging behavior and solitary territorial habits help distinguish it from some other flycatchers.
Habitat
Knowing the preferred habitats of Olive-sided Flycatchers aids identification:
Breeding
– Open coniferous forests, especially burned or logged areas.
– Forest edges and openings, such as meadows and ponds.
– Areas with tall trees or snags for perching.
Migration
– Wide variety of wooded habitats.
– Often along coastlines or other geographic barriers.
Wintering
– Tropical forests in Central and South America.
– Edges with clearings or openings with tall perches.
So this species prefers forest openings, edges, and clearings with tall perches during the breeding season. It is more flexible in migration and wintering but favors wooded areas near open flycatching spots.
Range
The breeding, migratory, and wintering range of the Olive-sided Flycatcher helps identify it:
Breeding
– Canada and Alaska
– Northern U.S. states including Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northeast.
Migration
– Throughout the continental U.S. but concentrated along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Wintering
– Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and the Guianas in Central and South America.
So during summer, it can only be found in more northern latitudes. But in migration it moves throughout the U.S. while wintering in Central and tropical South America.
Song and Calls
The Olive-sided Flycatcher has very distinctive vocalizations:
Song
– Loud, emphatic three note whistle. “Quick, THREE BEERS!”
– The three notes all have roughly the same pitch.
– Used to declare territory and attract mates.
Call
– Sharp “pip” note, often repeated.
– Given frequently when perched and in flight.
Other Sounds
– Low, scratchy chattering during disputes or when disturbed at nest.
– High pitched wing whistles in flight.
So listening for the emphatic “Quick, THREE BEERS” song or repeated “pip” calls will help identify the Olive-sided Flycatcher by ear.
Similar Species
The Olive-sided Flycatcher looks very different from many other birds, but some similar empid flycatchers require care in identification:
Western Wood-Pewee
– Browner upperparts with two distinct wingbars.
– Paler, less streaked underparts.
– More slender and smaller-headed.
– Song a descending, whistled “pee-ah-wee”.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
– Browner plumage with obvious wingbars.
– Fine bill and smaller head.
– Song a mournful, whistled “pee-ah-wee-u”.
Eastern Phoebe
– Darker head and breast than Olive-sided.
– Constantly pumps tail.
– Song a buzzy “fee-bee”.
Western Kingbird
– Yellow belly contrasts with gray breast.
– Broad white tail tip.
– Large, wide bill.
– Chattering song.
Gray Flycatcher
– More slender with longer tail.
– Gray overall with faint streaking below.
– “pit-seet” call.
So when trying to distinguish the Olive-sided Flycatcher, pay close attention to plumage coloration, tail movements, bill and head size, and vocalizations. This will help eliminate confusion with similar species.
When and Where to See Them
The best times and places to spot Olive-sided Flycatchers are:
Breeding Grounds
Late May through early August on their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern U.S. Look in open coniferous forests.
Migration
Mid-April to early June and late August through October during migration, especially along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Wintering Grounds
November through March in Central and South America in clearings of tropical forests.
Conclusion
Identifying the Olive-sided Flycatcher comes down to recognizing a few key points:
– Medium-sized, heavy-bodied songbird with large head.
– Distinctive plumage with olive-brown upperparts and streaked white underparts.
– Often perches prominently on high, exposed branches.
– Aerial flycatcher that catches insects on the wing.
– Makes circular flights from perch and returns.
– Solitary and territorial.
– Breeds in northern forests, migrates through much of U.S., winters in tropics.
– Unmistakable “Quick, THREE BEERS” song.
Learning the prominent perching, foraging, and vocal behaviors combined with the unique plumage and range of the Olive-sided Flycatcher will quickly set it apart from other birds. With a little practice, anyone can master answering the question “How do you identify an Olive-sided Flycatcher?” when they encounter this distinct species.
Olive-sided Flycatcher Identification Guide
| Field Mark | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.5-7.5 in. length, 13-15 in. wingspan |
| Shape | Chunky body, large head, short tail |
| Plumage | Olive-brown upperparts, white underparts with olive-brown streaking |
| Facial Pattern | Dark crown, white eyering, dark eyeline |
| Behaviors | Perches prominently on high exposed branches, makes aerial sallies to catch insects, solitary and territorial |
| Habitat | Open coniferous forests, forest edges and openings |
| Range | Breeds northern forests, migrates through much of continental U.S., winters in Central and South America |
| Song | Loud 3-note “Quick, THREE BEERS” whistle |
| Similar Species | Western Wood-Pewee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Gray Flycatcher |
