Alder flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Photo by Simon Barrette (Wikipedia)

Common name:
alder flycatcher (en); papa-moscas-dos-amieiros (pt); moucherolle des aulnes (fr); mosquero alisero (es); erlenschnäppertyrann (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae

Range:
This species is found breedin in northern North America, from Alaska, through most of Canada and into the north-eastern United States as far south as North Carolina and Tennessee. They migrate south to winter from western Venezuela, through Colombia and Ecuador and into Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina, always remaining east of the Andes mountain range.

Size:
These birds are 13-17 cm long and have a wingspan of 21-24 cm. They weigh 12-14 g.

Habitat:
The alder flycatcher breeds around marshes, swamps and other scrub-dominated wetlands, especially in areas with alders and willows. They winter in tropical moist forests and scrublands. This species is present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.300 m.

Diet:
They feed mostly on insects, but will also take some fruits, berries and seeds, especially during winter.

Breeding:
Alder flycatchers are monogamous and nest in a coarse cup made of bark, weeds, stems and grass, and lined with plant down or other soft materials. The nest is placed in a scrub or tree, up to 1,5 m above the ground. The female lays 3-4 creamy-white or buff eggs with dark markings, which she incubates alone for 12-14 days. The chicks fledge 13-14 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 49 million individuals. The population has had a stable trend over the last 4 decades.