It's the time of year when the migrant Empidonax flycatchers come through. Once upon a time we didn't even try to identify these beasts, but now many of us do. Vocalizing birds are the least challenging; but there are still problems there. One of the species that I think creates the most trouble in this region is the Yellow- bellied Flycatcher. This is in part because popular field guides generally do not give much coverage to the more frequent and distinctive vocalizations of this species that are likely to be heard on migration away from the nesting grounds. The best-known vocalizations are the gruff "che-bek" and the up- slurred "kerwee." In sound samples from the Macaulay Library, here are two good examples of the "che bek" from New Brunswick and Michigan: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/7623 http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/73986 It is similar to the typical call of the Least Flycatcher. An experienced ear can learn the difference as it is a bit harsher and less rushed, but it is a difficult distinction to make. This is the most frequent vocalization on the nesting grounds. A sample of the "kerwee" from New York (along with some "chebeks"): http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/133980 This is probably the best-known vocalization, but is it not the most frequently heard one. It is superficially pewee-like, but it is thinner, squeakier, and more curt. Off the nesting grounds is another matter. Here are three samples from the wintering range (Chiapas and Guanacaste). They demonstrate first some harsh chipping, much like the "che" without the "bek;" next they show two examples of the emphatic "pyew" call: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/56523 http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/89626 http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/56504 Unlike the much-better known "kerwee," the "pyew" is downslurred. This is the most frequent and diagnostic vocalization of the species here in Tennessee; you will hear it far more often than the "kerwee." Few observers in this region seem to be familiar with it. The Yellow-bellied's "pyew" is qualitatively similar to the emphatic "pip pip pip" of the Acadian Flycatcher, heard here interspersed with classic "pitsa" notes: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/84877 Note, however, that the Acadian's pip lacks the sharp downslur of the Yellow-bellied's call. Other than the vocalizations, in the case of seen birds you should pay attention to behavioral and structural characters as much as the subtle and variable plumage features such as eye-rings and wingbars. The Yellow-bellied is a stocky, short-tailed, big-headed, short- billed bird. It is a flitty, flicky thing, often making very short flights and gleaning insects from foliage. At a glance the first impression can sometimes be more of an overgrown kinglet than a flycatcher. These characters are covered well by the big table-top National Geographic guide. I hope some find this information useful. Finally, a note to e-bird contributors: I like details on all Alder and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers in spring, and on all Empidonaces other than Acadians in the fall. Thanks! Bill Pulliam Hohenwald TN =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds you report were seen. The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should appear in the first paragraph. _____________________________________________________________ To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. ______________________________________________________________ TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ------------------------------ Assistant Moderator Andy Jones Cleveland, OH ------------------------------- Assistant Moderator Dave Worley Rosedale, VA -------------------------------- Assistant Moderator Chris O'Bryan Clarksville, TN __________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ARCHIVES TN-Bird Net Archives at //www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/ MAP RESOURCES Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com _____________________________________________________________