ID Keys: Yellow wash on throat and belly, obvious
wing-bars, olive-colored upperparts, wide yellow eye ring.
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.
