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Description:
Size: 5 ¼- 6 ½ inches
Voice: song FITZ-BEW call SPRITT whistle WHIT
Habitat: streamside thickets - brushy fields - willows
The Willow Flycatcher is one of the plain empidonax
flycatchers. Notice the very faint eye-ring and the long wide bill. The upper mandible is
dark brown to black and the lower mandible is pale orange.
Southwestern Willow Flycatchers
(Federally Endangered extimus subspecies) are best "ticked" without
violating Federal law by listening and observing them from the parking lot by the Birders'
Board at Kern River Preserve Headquarters. Several pairs (8-20) of this species
call, "sing," and nest all through the "Slough Channel" that you pass
through as you enter the preserve. But, you are not to walk around in
the habitat because that is a violation of the Endangered Species Act.
To enjoy these birds without illegally disturbing them simply observe them from the
parking lot or bird along the ranch road that leads west from the Headquarters area
along the north side of the slough. Besides, this road leads one past habitat used by
nesting Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Blue Grosbeaks, and Lawrence's Goldfinches. Willow
Flycatchers (25-40 pairs) usually first begin arriving about the 15th of May with
late May through July being the best time to see one or more. If you know their song, the
pre-dawn chorus heard from Headquarters throughout June is truly impressive.
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