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 has a different song and is paler below.