General

Western Wood-Pewee: Medium-sized flycatcher with dull olive-gray upperparts and pale olive-gray underparts. Head has darker cap and slight crest. Wings are dark with two white bars. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Western Wood-Pewee: Breeds from eastern Alaska, Mackenzie, and Manitoba south through western U.S. Spends winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, woodland edges, and orchards.

Breeding and Nesting

Western Wood-Pewee: Two to four white eggs with brown and lavender marks at large end are laid in a shallow saucer of grass fastened to a horizontal branch. Incubation is typically 12 or 13 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Western Wood-Pewee: Diet consists almost exclusively of insects, often caught in flight; berries are sometimes eaten.

Readily Eats

Meal Worms

Vocalization

Western Wood-Pewee: Call is a harsh, nasal "pee-eeer."

Similar Species

Western Wood-Pewee: Eastern Wood-Pewee is paler below, but is best distinguished by voice.