# Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (*Empidonax flaviventris*) The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a small bird with a bright yellow belly and a soft, cheerful song. It loves to flit around in the trees, catching bugs and singing sweetly in the forest. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Yellow-bellied Flycatcher](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Empidonax_flaviventris_Toronto.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empidonax_flaviventris_Toronto.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher has distinct olive-green upperparts and bright yellow underparts, especially on its belly. A prominent white eye-ring and two pale wing bars help distinguish this compact bird. It has a relatively short, broad bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Empidonax ## Interesting facts - Even though it looks plain, its yellow belly is super bright for a flycatcher! - It waits longer than most birds before migrating back north to breed in spring. - Its favorite places to nest are often spongy mossy bogs deep in the forest! - When resting, its short tail often bobs up and down, a unique little habit! ## Special abilities - **Mid-Air Snapper:** Yellow-bellied Flycatcher can snatch insects right out of the air using quick, agile flight bursts for hunting. - **Forest Camo:** Yellow-bellied Flycatcher has olive-green feathers on its back that help it blend perfectly with leafy forest habitats. - **Melody Marker:** Yellow-bellied Flycatcher can be identified by its distinctive "che-bek" call, making it easy to spot with sound. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 21-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.014 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 13-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 4500 km ## Diet & Feeding A bug-eating bird that snatches small insects from the air and leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Beetles, Moths, Caterpillars, True bugs, Small wasps - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — hunts small birds in dense woods - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — preys on eggs and nestlings - **Hunts:** European Crane Fly (*Tipula paludosa*) — snatches flying insects from air - **Hunts:** Small White Butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — eats adult butterflies and larvae ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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 Yellow-bellied 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 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher? 13-15 cm ### What is Yellow-bellied Flycatcher's wingspan? 21-23 cm ### How much does Yellow-bellied Flycatcher weigh? 0.01-0.014 kg ### How long does Yellow-bellied Flycatcher live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Yellow-bellied Flycatcher move? 35 km/h ### What does Yellow-bellied Flycatcher eat? A bug-eating bird that snatches small insects from the air and leaves. ### Where is Yellow-bellied Flycatcher usually found? Forests ## 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: [Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-flycatcher)