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 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Hammond's Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
Dusky Flycatcher
Empidonax oberholseri
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.