Olive-Sided Flycatcher
Olive-sided flycatcher is a medium to large-sized passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is sturdily-built and is one of the most noticeable birds of the coniferous forests of North America.
Olive Sided Flycatcher Range Map
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Contopus |
| Scientific Name | Contopus cooperi |
Olive Sided Flycatcher Bird
Olive Sided Flycatcher
Quick Information
| Other Names | Moucherolle à côtés olive (French), Pibí boreal (Spanish) |
| Size | 18 – 20 cm |
| Wingspan | Approximately 33 cm |
| Weight | 1.1–1.3 oz |
| Color | Face, upperparts, and flanks are dark olive; under parts are light, throat is white with dark bill; juveniles have brownish upperparts while the margins of the shoulders and the wing bars are buff |
| Distribution | Canada, Alaska, western and northeastern United States; migratory population is found in Central America and in South America’s Andes region |
| Habitat | Coniferous forests, openings and edges of forests like ponds and meadows |
| Nesting | Middle of May to mid-June |
| Sounds | Call: Fast pip pip pip Song: Whistled quick-three beers |
| Lifespan | Up to 11.1 years in the wild |
| Diet | Feed on flying insects like bees, wasps, ants, flies, grasshoppers, moths, beetles, dragonflies |
| Clutch size | 3 eggs |
| Number of Broods | 1 per year |
| Incubation Period | About 2 weeks |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Near Threatened |
Olive Sided Flycatcher Pictures
Olive Sided Flycatcher Juvenile
Behavior
These birds hunt by waiting from a high exposed perch often at the top of the tree. They fly out to catch the flying insects and return to the same perch. The flycatchers usually catch insects in mid-air and consume them whereas larger preys are carried back to the perch.
Breeding and Nesting
Nests in the shape of a flat open cup, made up of twigs, lichens, rootlets, grass, weeds are built by the female on horizontal branches away from the trunk. These monogamous birds display courtship behavior involving brisk chasing through the branches. They have a large breeding territory that can extend to 40-45 hectares around the nest, with the male aggressively defending the territory.
Olive Sided Flycatcher Nest
Olive Sided Flycatcher Eggs
Lifecycle
Female incubates her eggs while the male gathers food for her. After hatching, both male and the female feed the young. The young ones are ready for their first flight at about 21-23 days. After leaving the nest, the young ones continue to depend on the parents for about a week. The family stays together till the migration in fall.
Olive Sided Flycatcher Images
Olive Sided Flycatcher Photos
Interesting Fact
- They undertake one of the longest migrations among the North American flycatchers.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive-sided_flycatcher
- https://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/plans/rs_olive-sided%20flycatcher_e_proposed.pdf
- https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Olive-sided_Flycatcher/lifehistory
- https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/olive-sided-flycatcher
- http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/olive-sided-flycatcher
Published on October 7th 2016 by Sajal Datta under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 9th May 2023.
