# Western Wood-Pewee (*Contopus sordidulus*) The Western Wood-Pewee is a small, friendly bird that loves to sing in the trees. It has a soft, grayish-brown body and a cheerful song that sounds like 'pee-wee!' - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Western Wood-Pewee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Contopus_sordidulus_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Contopus_sordidulus_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Wood-Pewee has dull grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts, often with faint, dusky vest-like streaks on its sides. It is distinguished by two subtle, pale wing bars and notably long wings that extend past its short tail, giving it a sleek appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Contopus ## Interesting facts - Their signature "pee-wee" call sounds just like they're saying their own name! - This bird builds a tiny cup-shaped nest, often decorated with lichen and spider silk! - Western Wood-Pewees often return to the exact same nesting tree year after year! - Young pewees grow incredibly fast, leaving the nest only 16-18 days after hatching! ## Special abilities - **Mid-air Acrobat:** Western Wood-Pewees can snatch flying insects because of their agile flight and quick reflexes mid-air. - **Acoustic Radar:** Western Wood-Pewees have a keen sense of hearing that helps them detect tiny insect movements from afar. - **Camouflage Master:** Western Wood-Pewees have drab, earthy plumage that helps them blend perfectly into tree branches. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-16 cm - **Wingspan:** 23-26 cm - **Weight:** 0.011-0.014 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding These acrobatic birds primarily eat flying insects that they catch with impressive aerial maneuvers. - **Primary Foods:** flies, wasps, bees, beetles, moths - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common raptor that hunts adult Western Wood-Pewees. - **Eaten by:** [Western Screech-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-screech-owl) (*Megascops kennicottii*) — Nocturnal hunter that can prey on nesting pewees. - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — Lays its eggs in pewee nests, often to the detriment of chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don’t scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Wood-Pewee? 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 Wood-Pewee? 14-16 cm ### What is Western Wood-Pewee's wingspan? 23-26 cm ### How much does Western Wood-Pewee weigh? 0.011-0.014 kg ### How long does Western Wood-Pewee live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Western Wood-Pewee move? 35 km/h ### What does Western Wood-Pewee eat? These acrobatic birds primarily eat flying insects that they catch with impressive aerial maneuvers. ### Where is Western Wood-Pewee usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Mesilla Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesilla-plaza) — New Mexico, US · Park - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area) — Nevada, US · Nature Reserve - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Western Wood-Pewee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-wood-pewee) ## 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 Wood-Pewee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-wood-pewee)