Least Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus
Silhouette: Emily Willoughby · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyTyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
- GenusEmpidonax (Empidonax Flycatchers)
- SpeciesEmpidonax minimus (Least Flycatcher)
About the Least Flycatcher
The least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) (also called chebec, or chebecker, after the sound it makes) is a small insect-eating bird. It is the smallest Empidonax flycatcher in eastern North America. The closest relative to the least flycatcher was long thought to be the Hammond's flycatcher based on similarities in their songs and appearances. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis has revealed that the least flycatcher diverges significantly from its congeners and does not possess any sister taxa.
The least flycatcher is hard to distinguish from the other birds of its genus. The bird is one of the smallest of the genus Empidonax, measuring 12 to 14 cm in height with a wingspan of 19 to 22 cm and weighing approximately 10.3 g. Its plumage is dull olive-gray on its back and whitish on its belly, notably brighter than the other Empidonax birds. The least flycatcher's wings are lined with two white bars, and white rings contour its eyes. Its beak is short and the lower mandible is yellowish. The juveniles look similar to the adults except that their wing bars are slightly darker, with tawny/olive hues. Because other flycatchers also have those field marks... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Least Flycatcher in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
Hammond's Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.