Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is one of the smallest of the Empidonax flycatchers to migrate through the state.  While most Empidonax flycatchers are very difficult to identify, the Yellow-bellied is the only one in the eastern U.S. with a yellow throat.  It is normally found as a migrant in eastern South Dakota, but the similar Cordilleran Flycatcher is sometimes found in the extreme western part of the state.  It can often be lured closer to a birder's location as it responds to various "pishing" or squeaking sounds.

Habitat: Breeds in northern forests, often in and around wet bogs and swamps, and along thickets along streams.  Lives in tropical forests in the winter.

Diet: Feeds almost exclusively on insects, especially flying insects.  Will also occasionally eat berries and seeds.

Behavior: Takes most food by observing from a perch, and flying out and capturing flying insects in mid-air once spotted.  They will also hover and glean insects from foliage and branches, or take fruit and berries while flitting and climbing through foliage.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota.

Song: Soft chebunk song, also a lyrical per-wee.

Migration: Summers throughout much of central and eastern Canada, and in the Great Lakes Region and New England in the United States.  Winters in South America.

Similar Species: Acadian Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher

Conservation Status: Numbers appear to be stable.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

3) eNature.com: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Photo Information: Photo taken in Aberdeen by Dan Tallman.