Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Silhouette: Emily Willoughby · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
FamilyTyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
GenusEmpidonax (Empidonax Flycatchers)
SpeciesEmpidonax minimus (Least Flycatcher)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Tortuguero National Park

3 Verified sightings at Tortuguero National Park From 2019 to 2026

11,490 Verified sightings across all 45 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

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 →

Closest Relatives at Tortuguero National Park

Empidonax virescens

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Empidonax flaviventris

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Empidonax traillii

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Empidonax alnorum

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Pitangus sulphuratus

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Tyrannus melancholicus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Myiozetetes similis

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Todirostrum cinereum

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

Megarynchus pitangua

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Attila spadiceus

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Contopus virens

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Zimmerius vilissimus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Point Pelee National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~40%
2	Calakmul Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~30%
3	El Triunfo	🇲🇽 Mexico	~30%
4	Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~20%
5	Biotopo Cerro Cahuí	🇬🇹 Guatemala	~20%
6	Wood Buffalo National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~20%
7	Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~20%
8	Cañón del Sumidero National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	~20%
9	Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~20%
10	Cape Breton Highlands National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	~10%
11	Tikal National Park	🇬🇹 Guatemala	~10%
12	Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary	🇧🇿 Belize	~10%
13	Celestún Biosphere Reserve	🇲🇽 Mexico	~10%
14	Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park	🇲🇽 Mexico	~10%
15	Isle Royale National Park	🇺🇸 United States	~10%
16	Lago de Yojoa	🇭🇳 Honduras	<5%
17	La Tigra National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	<5%
18	Pico Bonito National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	<5%
19	Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	<5%
20	Everglades National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
21	Acadia National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
22	Shenandoah National Park	🇺🇸 United States	<5%
23	Santa Rosa National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
24	Piedras Blancas National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
25	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
26	Gros Morne National Park	🇨🇦 Canada	<5%
27	Carara National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
28	Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
29	Tenorio Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
30	Bastimentos Island National Marine Park	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
31	Chirripó National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
32	Palo Verde National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
33	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	<5%
34	Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
35	Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
36	Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca	🇲🇽 Mexico	Insufficient data
37	Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
38	Rincón de la Vieja National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
39	Cusuco National Park	🇭🇳 Honduras	Insufficient data
40	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park	🇺🇸 United States	Insufficient data
41	Cahuita National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
42	Las Baulas Marine National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
43	Corcovado National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
44	Tortuguero National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
45	Braulio Carrillo National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data

← Back to Tortuguero National Park

Least Flycatcher

About the Least Flycatcher

Recent sightings of Least Flycatcher in Tortuguero National Park

Closest Relatives at Tortuguero National Park

Acadian Flycatcher

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Alder Flycatcher

Great Kiskadee

Tropical Kingbird

Social Flycatcher

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Bright-rumped Attila

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Guatemalan Paltry Tyrannulet

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found