[TN-Bird] Yellow-bellied Flycatcher voice and ID

  • From: Bill Pulliam <bb551@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: tn-bird Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 23:30:07 -0500

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


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