photo by Phil Swanson

Empidonax minimus
L 5 1/4″ (13 cm).

Song or calls:
Song is dry “che-bek,” with the accent on the second syllable. Call is sharp “whit.”

Description: Sexes similar. Gray to olive-gray above; bold white eye ring; two white wing bars; proportionately large head; whitish throat; gray wash on breast; belly and undertail coverts are pale yellow. Bill is short, triangular, and the lower mandible is mostly pale. Juvenile is browner above, and the wing bars are buffy.

Habitat: Occurs in floodplain forests in grassland areas, scattered grovelands, shelterbelts, and urban parks and gardens.

Where in Nebraska: Common spring and fall migrant across the state. Rare summer resident, with breeding occuring in north and northeastern Nebraska.

Field Notes: Smallest eastern Empidonax flycatcher.

Fun Facts: The adult Least Flycatcher will migrate to their wintering grounds before molting.

 
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