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: This species breeds from southeastern Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Manitoba south throughout western U.S. from California east to Nebraska and south into Mexico. They spend winters in the tropics. Its 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.