Eastern Wood Pewee

The Eastern Wood Pewee, Contopus virens, is a modestly sized member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This avian species is characterized by its gray-olive upperparts and light underparts, tinged with olive across the breast. Notably, each wing displays two pale bars, and the primary feathers are elongated, culminating in a slender, pointed wingtip. The bird's bill presents a dark upper mandible, contrasting with a yellowish lower one. Its name is derived from its plaintive whistles, which resonate through the forests it inhabits.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify the Eastern Wood Pewee, look for a bird measuring between 13.5 to 15 cm in length, with a wingspan stretching from 23 to 26 cm. The sexes are similar in appearance, making them indistinguishable in the field. Key identification features include the two pale wing bars and the notably long primary projection, which gives the wing a distinctly pointed look.

Habitat

The Eastern Wood Pewee favors deciduous and mixed woodlands, as well as pine plantations, within the eastern stretches of North America. These birds are adept at navigating the middle strata of the forest, where they can be seen perched, ever vigilant for their next meal.

Distribution

This species breeds throughout eastern North America and undertakes a migratory journey to wintering grounds in Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern regions of the Andes.

Behaviour

The Eastern Wood Pewee is a creature of habit, arriving on its breeding grounds later than many other species, typically from late April to early May. It departs for its southerly migration in late August or September. The bird is known for its sit-and-wait hunting strategy, perching at a mid-level before darting out to snatch insects in flight.

Song & Calls

The Eastern Wood Pewee's vocalizations include a series of melancholic whistles, sounding like "pee-a'wee," and a "pe-wee" with an ascending note at the end. These calls are not only the source of its name but also a delight to any birder's ear.

Breeding

Nesting occurs on horizontal tree branches, where the female weaves an open cup of grass, bark, and lichen, secured with spider webs. Nest heights vary but average around 30 feet. The clutch typically consists of three translucent-white eggs, speckled with brown. Both parents are involved in rearing the altricial young, which fledge after 15 to 17 days.

Similar Species

The Western Wood Pewee (C. sordidulus) is nearly identical in appearance but can be distinguished by its song. The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) and the Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) are also similar but have different physical characteristics and vocalizations.

Diet and Feeding

Insects and arthropods comprise the diet of the Eastern Wood Pewee. It employs a flycatching technique, launching from a perch to capture prey mid-air or occasionally hovering to glean insects from foliage.

Conservation Status

The IUCN classifies the Eastern Wood Pewee as Least Concern, indicating a stable population. However, there is evidence of a decline in numbers, potentially due to habitat loss in its wintering territories and changes in forest undergrowth dynamics in its breeding range, possibly linked to the proliferation of white-tailed deer.

In the spirit of conservation, let us continue to observe and protect these avian wonders, ensuring that the Eastern Wood Pewee's song endures for generations to come.