# Western Flycatcher (*Empidonax difficilis*) The Western Flycatcher is a small bird that loves to catch insects in mid-air. With its cheerful song, it can be found flitting around trees and bushes, making it a delightful sight in nature. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Western Flycatcher](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Empidonax_difficilis_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Empidonax_difficilis1.jpg : goingslo on Flickr derivative work: Berichard ( talk ), CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empidonax_difficilis_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Flycatcher has an olive-green back and a yellowish wash on its belly. It is distinguished by a prominent, pale, teardrop-shaped eye-ring and two buffy wing bars, making it blend well with leafy environments. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Empidonax ## Interesting facts - Despite their tiny size, Western Flycatchers make long migrations every year. - Some flycatchers return to the exact same nesting spot year after year. - Their nests are often so well-hidden, they might even be lined with soft spiderwebs! - They can twist and turn mid-air to catch the fastest flying insects with ease! ## Special abilities - **Insect Interceptor:** Western Flycatcher can snatch flying insects right out of the air because of its agile flight and quick reflexes. - **Forest Camouflage:** Western Flycatcher has subtle olive-green and yellow feathers that help it blend perfectly into leafy forest canopies. - **Song Navigator:** Western Flycatcher can use a distinctive 'ps-SEET' song to communicate with others and mark its territory in dense woodlands. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.008-0.012 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 14-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding This little bird mostly eats flying insects that it catches skillfully in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Wasps, Beetles, Moths, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** Douglas-fir (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Provides nesting sites and perches for hunting. - **Eats:** Common Wasp (*Vespula vulgaris*) — A common flying insect prey item. - **Hunts:** [Northern Pygmy-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pygmy-owl) (*Glaucidium gnoma*) — A small owl that preys on songbirds. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Forages on ants found on tree branches. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance so they feel safe and happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Flycatcher? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western Flycatcher? 13-17 cm ### What is Western Flycatcher's wingspan? 20-23 cm ### How much does Western Flycatcher weigh? 0.008-0.012 kg ### How long does Western Flycatcher live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Western Flycatcher move? 40 km/h ### What does Western Flycatcher eat? This little bird mostly eats flying insects that it catches skillfully in the air. ### Where is Western Flycatcher usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Gaviota State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gaviota-state-park) — California, US · State Park - [Balboa Park Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/balboa-park-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [El Prado Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-prado-complex) — California, US · Historic Site - [Gaslamp Quarter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gaslamp-quarter) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-sand-dunes-national-park-and-preserve) — Colorado, US · National Park [View all places to see Western Flycatcher](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-flycatcher) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Western Flycatcher: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-flycatcher)