Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Early May - Late May
Mid-August - Mid-September
Status and abundance: Rare to uncommon migrant.
Habitat: Usually perches high on dead snags in deciduous woods, especially upland forest.
Records and remarks: This species sings a very distinctive song often phoneticized as Quick three beers! It also gives a call note (pip, pip) that is quite similar to one of the calls of Great Crested Flycatchers. Daily counts rarely exceed one bird.
SPRING—Most are first detected each spring during the spring bird counts, but migration does not peak until later in May.
1, Mermet Lake, 26 Apr 2007 (P. Jakoubek)
1, Trail of Tears SF, 1 June 1990 (Robinson and Robinson 1992)
1, Cypress Creek NWR, 2 Jun 2013 (MML)
1, Ozark, Johnson Co., 10 Jun 1994 (TF)
AUTUMN—Southward movements may begin as early as the first week of August and probably peak between 20 August and 7 September. Singing usually does not occur in fall, but birds do call. Most often, they are simply detected by seeing them perched high on an exposed branch.
1, near Woodlawn, Jefferson Co., 13 Aug 1988 (TF, WDR)
1, Mermet Lake, 13 Aug 1998 (LS)
1, Ozark, Johnson Co., 13 Aug 1994 (TF)
1, Giant City SP, in Union Co., 21 Sep 1986 (WDR)
Documentation: Specimen—imm., 2 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 13 Sep 1968 (SIU).
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
Late April - Early October
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident.
Habitat: Deciduous woodland. Found in extensive forests as well as residential areas if tree canopy cover is sufficient.
Records and remarks: Pewees are found high in trees, just below the canopy. They often perch on snags at the edge of clearings. Their song, which takes two forms (pee a wee and pee ooh), is most frequently given in early morning, but can be heard all day. Their dawn song is more elaborate.
SPRING—Pewees are usually first detected about the last two or three days of April. Migration peaks in the second week of May. A daily high count, for a full day of effort in excellent habitat, can exceed 75 birds. The end of northward movements is unclear, because of the large breeding population. Observers should always identify early spring pewees visually. Starlings are good mimics and can easily mislead observers who do not see the singer.
1, Carbondale, 20 Apr 1971 (P. Biggers)
1, Ozark, Johnson Co., 24 Apr 1989 (TF)
SUMMER—Wood-Pewees build nests resembling knots on tree branches. Nests are placed 15 to 50 feet above ground on horizontal branches that hang out over gaps in forest. Wood-Pewees probably breed in every township in southern Illinois. Juveniles have a distinctive, burry call, which can be heard from late June through September as they beg from adults.
AUTUMN—Southward movements may begin in mid-August, but because breeding birds are present, it is difficult to be sure. Most pewees are gone by early October.
24, Jefferson Co., 13 Aug 1988 (TF, WDR)
2, Crab Orchard NWR, 15 Oct 1983 (JCR)
1, Carbondale, 17 Oct 1971 (D. Hayward)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Oct 2014 (JG)
Documentation: Specimen—Massac Co., 8 May 1973 (INHS TY-w-5).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris
Mid-May - Early June
Mid-August - Early October
Status and abundance: Rare to uncommon migrant.
Habitat: Deciduous woods and woodland edge.
Records and remarks: Silent flycatchers in the genus Empidonax pose challenging identification problems. Fortunately, with experience, most Yellow-bellied Flycatchers can be identified visually in the field. The underparts are especially dark, often appearing greenish-gray on the sides and breast, and yellowish on the belly. It is always important, however, that confirmation of identification be made by hearing vocal cues, especially in cases of very early or late records. Some individuals must simply be identified as Empidonax. Numbers of migrants appear to be highly variable in southern Illinois.
SPRING—Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are late migrants. Most are not detected until mid-May. Migration probably extends into early June, but because they spend much of their time in thick cover, silent birds often go unnoticed.
2, Massac Co., 4 May 1985 (WDR)
3, Giant City SP, 18 May 1989 (WDR)
1, Ozark, Johnson Co., 28 May 1989 (TF)
2, Randolph Co., 1 Jun 2014 (RR)
1, Pine Hills, 3 Jun 1991 (Robinson and Robinson 1992)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 4 Jun 2016 (HD)
AUTUMN—Fall movements may begin very early (early August), but few have been reported before late Aug. Most birds are not vocal during fall, and many undoubtedly are overlooked because of their inconspicuous behavior.
1, Giant City SP, 12 Aug 1954 (RB)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 21-22 Aug 1987 (WDR)
1 banded, Carbondale, 22 Aug 1970 (VK)
1 banded, Carbondale, 26 Sep 1970 (VK)
1 vocal, Rend Lake, Franklin Co., 30 Sep 1989 (WDR)
1, LaRue Pine Hills, 8 Oct 2016 (K. M. Dunning)
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, 2 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 23 May 1968 (SIU).
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens
Late April - Late September
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident.
Habitat: Moist deciduous woodlands with well-developed understory.
Records and remarks: One of the most common breeding songbirds in southern Illinois forests, Acadian Flycatchers tend to require large tracts of forest, but a few pairs will occupy larger woodlots. Less numerous in the Till Plain than the Floodplains and Shawnee Hills. Silent Acadian Flycatchers can be exceptionally difficult to identify, particularly during fall when fresh plumage makes the breast and belly appear more yellowish than during spring. Acadians are more vocal, on average, than most other Empidonax throughout the fall. The single syllable call note, if learned during the breeding season when it is also commonly uttered, is characteristic and can be heard during fall migration.
SPRING—First spring arrivals are usually encountered about 1 May, occasionally earlier. Migration peaks during the second week of May. North-bound birds may still be passing through in early Jun while local breeders are beginning to nest. Daily high counts in excellent habitat with a full day of effort can exceed 75 birds, but normally range from 15 to 30.
1, Massac Co., 15 Apr 2001 (FB)
1, Pomona, 16 Apr 2001 (DK)
SUMMER—Acadian nests are very distinctive in structure. A frail-looking shallow cup of strong grasses is woven in a fork of a branch well out from the trunk of a tree. The floor of the nest is sometimes so thin that the eggs can be seen from below. Thirty-six percent of 354 nests found in the SNF were parasitized by cowbirds. Most Acadians have clutches of three eggs, but those that are parasitized receive an average of 1.3 cowbird eggs per nest (INHS).
AUTUMN—Fall migration probably peaks in mid- or late August, but few counts have been made during that time. Most Acadians have departed by mid-September.
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 29 Sep 2015 (JT)
1, LaRue Pine Hills, 11 Oct 2014 (P. Pratt)
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, 3 miles se. of Makanda, Jackson Co., 15 May 1976 (SIU A-1797).
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum
Mid-May - Early June
Early September - Late September
Status and abundance: Rare to uncommon migrant.
Habitat: Woodland edge, hedgerows, and willow swamps.
Records and remarks: Alder and Willow Flycatchers are, for all intents and purposes, inseparable in the field unless they are vocal. These two species together form the superspecies, Traill's Flycatcher. Both use the same habitat during migration. Alder Flycatchers are only migrants, whereas a few Willow Flycatchers breed in the region. The songs and call notes of the two flycatcher species are similar, but distinctively different, and it may take practice to be able to confidently separate them.
SPRING—Alders are very late spring migrants. They peak in abundance during the last week of May. Migration may continue well into mid-June (or possibly later).
1, Pulaski Co., 6 May 2001 (FB)
1, Mermet Lake, 9 May 2016 (JG, DM)
1, Mermet Lake, 13 May 2000 (DK, KM, FB)
3, Cairo, Alexander Co., 26 May 1988 (WDR)
1, Berryville Rd., Union Co., 5 Jun 2016 (RR)
1, Randolph Co., 14 Jun 1988 (WDR)
AUTUMN—Virtually nothing is known about fall passage through southern Illinois because of the difficulty of identifying silent birds. Correct identification must be made by in-hand examination (as during banding) or, with practice, the call notes of Alder versus Willow can be definitively different. Alders give a bic, whereas Willows sound more like whip. Observers who consider they have encountered an Alder during fall are encouraged to archive a sound recording in eBird.
1, near Ozark, Pope Co., 29 Aug 1994 (TF)
1, se. Jackson Co., 7 Sep 1985 (WDR)
Documentation: Provisional Acceptance. A specimen or voice-recording is needed.
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax trailli
Early May - Mid-September
Status and abundance: Uncommon migrant. Locally uncommon summer resident.
Habitat: Willow thickets, hedgerows, and upland areas with scattered bushes and small trees.
Records and remarks: See Alder Flycatcher above for a discussion of identification problems.
SPRING—Willows migrate slightly earlier than Alders, but still are not usually here until the first week of May. Migration probably continues into early June, but the breeding population obscures migrant departure dates.
1, Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, 30 Apr 2005 (SB, TM, m.ob.)
1, Union Co., 1 May 1996 (KM)
15, Oakwood Bottoms, Jackson Co., 28 May 1975 (BP)
SUMMER—Willows are probably more numerous in southern Illinois than previously thought. There is extensive suitable habitat on reclaimed strip mines that they readily use for nesting. Breeding populations have been found on mines in Williamson, Randolph, Perry, and Jackson Counties. They also regularly breed in willows along streams, probably in every county. Nonetheless, they are very local.
6 pairs, Williamson Co. strip mines, Jun 1987 (WDR)
4, Cache River SNA, 12 Jun 2007 (MML)
4, Randolph Co., 30 Jun 2006 (DK)
AUTUMN—As with Alder Flycatcher, little is known about fall migration, because most birds are silent during fall. They seem to just disappear after breeding is completed. Migration probably starts in late July (most territorial birds are gone by then) and ends during September.
1, Jackson Co., 2 Aug 1975 (BP)
1, n. Pulaski Co., 31 Aug 1999 (FB)
1, Oakwood Bottoms, 4 Sep 2016 (HD)
1, near Crainville, Williamson Co., 10 Sep 2013 (JG)
Documentation: Provisional Acceptance. A specimen or voice-recording is needed.
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Late April - Late May
Late August - Early October
Status and abundance: Fairly common migrant. Very rare summer visitor.
Habitat: Deciduous woodland edge and hedgerows.
Records and remarks: Smallest of the Empidonax, Least Flycatchers can be identified by sight fairly easily with experience, but vocal cues should be used to confirm identifications. Least Flycatchers forage by hover-gleaning insects from the surface of leaves in the understory and shrub layer, and less commonly by sallying out to snatch insects from mid-air. When singing, they sometimes do so continuously, with short pauses between che-bek phrases, for long stretches of time, seeming to never fatigue. More often, however, in our region they are passage migrants, so they sing for shorter periods of time.
SPRING—Migrants are very vocal upon arrival. First arrivals are normally encountered during the last few days of April, numbers peak about 10-14 May, and migration is largely over by 25 May. Daily high counts in appropriate habitat with a full day of effort usually range from 6 to 12 birds.
1, Fort Massac SP, 17 Apr 2012 (KM)
1, Giant City SP, 18 Apr 1989 (WDR)
1, Perks, Pulaski Co., 23 Apr 1973 (HDB, VK)
18, Alexander Co., 7 May 1977 (MMo)
1, Union Co. CA, 26 May 1984 (TF, K. Richmond)
SUMMER—There is one record of a territorial singing male present during summer, but no breeding activity was noted.
1, Trail of Tears SF, 3-26 Jun 1981 (M. Mlodinow)
AUTUMN—Like most Empidonax, Least Flycatchers are not often vocal during fall migration and identification can be difficult. With experience, though, most can be correctly named. Southward movements go mostly unnoticed. Some adults, which have white wingbars, leave the breeding grounds exceptionally early (Hussel 1980) and are represented by the following mid-summer records: 2 singing males, Trail of Tears SF, 24-25 Jun 1991, and one singing, Pine Hills, 7 Jul 1991 (Robinson and Robinson 1992). Other fall records:
1, near Little Grassy Lake, in Jackson Co., 23 July 1971 (D. Hayward)
ad. female banded, Carbondale, 4 Aug 1971 (VK)
ad., Crab Orchard NWR, 21 Aug 1987 (WDR)
2 banded, Carbondale, 27 Sep 1970 (VK)
Documentation: Specimen—ad. female, Carbondale, Jackson Co., 4 Aug 1971 (SIU A-1748).
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Status and abundance: Common migrant and fairly common summer resident in Shawnee Hills. Fairly common migrant and summer resident in Floodplains and Till Plain. Locally uncommon winter resident.
Habitat: Deciduous woods near water and bluffs or man-made structures, such as bridges.
Records and remarks: Phoebes are the familiar, tail-pumping flycatcher of farms and creek margins. They commonly place their nests under bridges that span even the smallest of creeks. They are very vocal upon arrival in spring, but after April they reduce their singing rate.
SPRING—First spring migrants are regularly encountered the first week of March, but some arrive during February. Migration peaks in late March and early April, and is mostly over by late April. Daily high counts normally do not exceed 30 phoebes.
5, Oakwood Bottoms, 18 Feb 2016 (HD)
4, Horseshoe Lake CA, 25 Feb 2017 (A. Gathman)
SUMMER—Breeding begins very early. Eggs may be laid during Mar, but normally first clutches are laid during Apr. Phoebes nest on buildings, bridges, bluffs, and under overhanging creek banks. Parasitism rates by Brown-headed Cowbirds varies considerably from site to site.
AUTUMN—Inception of southward movements is difficult to detect because of the presence of local breeding populations. However, movements are probably in progress in early September, peaking in early October, and mostly ceasing by late November. Because there is now a small wintering population in most years, it is difficult to tell when fall migration is done.
WINTER—Eastern Phoebes were formerly rare during winter. Most December and early January records were probably of late migrants. From 1975-1988 there were 7 CBC records. Now, they are annual in small numbers on many of the southern Illinois CBCs. The number present during winter greatly depends on winter temperatures. During cold spells, if phoebes are present, they are usually found near open patches of water.
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, 1.5 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 22 Mar 1978 (SIU).
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya
Status and abundance: Very rare visitor.
Records and remarks: An individual of this western species was observed on the Mermet Christmas Bird Count at Joppa, Massac Co., on 30 Dec 1966 (R. Montgomery, L. Hood). While in view, it flew across the Ohio River into Kentucky to establish that state's first record (Monroe et al. 1988). Another was at Mermet Lake, Massac Co., 24 Apr 2010 (FB). Vagrants in Illinois have been found around buildings, water, and open fields (Bohlen 1989). One in Perry Co., Missouri, was less than a mile outside of our region, 26 Jan - 6 Feb 2016 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27143068).
Documentation: Written description—Joppa, Massac Co., 30 Dec 1966.
[Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus]
Status and abundance: Hypothetical.
Records and remarks: An undocumented record of a male of this brightly colored flycatcher was reported at Crab Orchard NWR, April or May, 1978. No further details are known.
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
Mid-April - Mid-September
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident.
Habitat: Deciduous woods and woodland edge.
Records and remarks: Usually found in the canopy of mature forest and larger woodlots, Great Crested Flycatchers are most often heard. When seen, they are remarkably beautiful birds with lemon yellow belly contrasting with a slaty gray throat and breast, and rusty tail with some dark outer webbing when viewed at close range. They are famous for using snake skins in their nests, which are built in old woodpecker holes or natural cavities in trees.
SPRING—The first spring arrivals are quite conspicuous because of their loud thrreeep call. Migration may continue into late May, but because the summer population is large the last departure dates are difficult to detect. Daily high counts normally range between 20 and 60.
1, Heron Pond, 13 Apr 2006 (KM)
1, w. Jackson Co., 15 Apr 1984 (JCR)
6, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Apr 1972 (VK)
46, sw. Union Co., 10 May 2003 (VK)
SUMMER—Few data are available on the nesting cycle in the region, but birds have been seen feeding young from late May through late June. There are no records of this species being parasitized by cowbirds in southern Illinois.
AUTUMN—Fall migration is inconspicuous. Great Crested Flycatchers just seem to disappear at the end of summer. They are not particularly vocal after about mid-July, so this contributes to the lack of reports during fall migration. Migration probably begins by late July and peaks in August. Any Myiarchus flycatcher seen from October through March should be carefully identified and photographed. Ash-throated Flycatcher (M. cinerascens) may be more likely at that season than Great Crested.
1, Williamson Co., 16 Sep 1983 (JCR)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 17 Sep 1989 (WDR)
Documentation: Specimen—ad. male, 2 miles n. of Cobden, Union Co., 28 Apr 1966 (SIU A-1581).
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Status and abundance: Rare migrant and summer resident.
Records and remarks: Western Kingbirds are common across the western United States. Formerly a rare vagrant in southern Illinois, they have occurred with increasing frequency and have even nested. They occur in open habitats, especially around grassy and agricultural fields. They often sit on barbed wire fences or electrical wires while watching for passing insects.
SPRING—1, Massac Co., 13 Apr 2007 (FB)
1, Joppa, 17 May – 1 Jun 2006 (FB, SB, m.ob.)
1, Herrin, Williamson Co., 25 May 1965 (George 1968)
1, Rim Rock, Gallatin Co., 27 May 2001 (J. Anderson)
SUMMER—Nested for several years (first year, 2005) in Massac Co., particularly a site near Joppa (FB, m.ob.).
2 ad. and 2 imm., Joppa, 7 Jul 2005 (FB)
nest, Joppa, 1 Jun 2006 (SB)
pair feeding two juvs., Joppa, 31 Jul 2008 (FB)
nest, Joppa, 15 Jun – 10 Jul 2009 (FB)
Other records:
1, White Co., 1 Jun 1988 (AB 42:1296)
1, Union Co. CA, 10 Jun 1982 (P. Kittle)
1, sw. Jackson Co., 20 Jun 1999 (RR)
AUTUMN—1, East Cape Girardeau, 5 Sep 2013 (D. Starrett)
1, Giant City SP, 12 Oct 1999 (H. Parker)
Documentation: Provisional Acceptance.
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
Mid-April - Mid-September
Status and abundance: Common migrant and summer resident.
Habitat: Woodland edge, hedgerows, and open park-like areas, often near water.
Records and remarks: Eastern Kingbirds are a black and white flycatcher commonly seen sitting on fences and electrical wires along roadsides in open habitats. They have a characteristically shallow wing beat during the breeding season and can be quite noisy. When migrating overhead, they have much deeper wing beats and resemble American Robins.
SPRING—During peak migration (late Apr to mid-May) small flocks of kingbirds often occur in grassy fields where they sit on the ground or on short vegetation and sally for insects. Migratory flocks can be seen during the day. Because of the presence of the breeding population, the departure of the latest migrants is obscured. Daily high counts normally range between 35 and 60.
1, Massac Co., 3 Apr 2007 (FB)
1, Union Co. CA, 7 Apr 2001 (KM)
1, Crab Orchard NWR, 8 Apr 1972 (VK, G. Cooper)
1, Ozark, 10-11 Apr 1992 (TF)
SUMMER—Kingbirds place their bulky, grass nests from 10 to 40 feet above ground or water, usually near the tip of a long horizontal branch in an isolated tree. Parents vigorously defend their nests against crows, hawks, and predatory mammals by chasing them from the vicinity of the nest. Nesting begins by mid-May and continues into July.
AUTUMN—Initiation of southward migration is obscured by the breeding population, but it may start in late July. Small flocks (usually <10 birds) are commonly encountered during August and early September. Large flocks are rare.
167, Rend Lake, 30 Aug 1994 (BD)
5, Crab Orchard NWR, 21 Sep 1983 (JCR)
1, Reynoldsville, Union Co., 26 Sep 2011 (WDR)
2, Jackson Co., 27 Sep 1984 (TF)
Documentation: Specimen—Elkville, Jackson Co., 23 Aug 1941 (SIU A-1799).
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
Status and abundance: Rare migrant and summer resident.
Records and remarks: Quite possibly the most elegant flycatcher of all, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are common in the southern Great Plains and have been steadily expanding their range into southern Illinois. At least a few are now detected annually, particularly in the western portion of the region.
SPRING—Most migrants arrive during mid-Apr.
1, near Murphysboro, 26 Mar 2008 (D. Miller)
1, East Cape Girardeau, 8 Apr 2009 (m.ob.)
1, Cypress Creek NWR, 14 Apr 2002 (FB)
1, near Ware, Union Co., 25 Apr 2009 (KM)
1, Karnak, Pulaski Co., 4 May 2014 (L. Williams)
1, Makanda, Jackson Co., 12 May 1987 (R. Zoanetti)
1, n. of Murphysboro, Jackson Co., 20 May 1949 (RB)
SUMMER—The first nest was found in Randolph Co., in 2000. Nests have since been found in Jackson, Union, Pulaski, Johnson and Franklin Counties. The primary sites where they currently breed are in the areas of the Cache River SNA and sw. Jackson/nw. Union Counties.
1, Cypress Creek NWR, 10 Jul 1993 (McKee and McKee 1994)
AUTUMN—Birds quickly disappear after breeding, so the extent and timing of fall migration remain unclear.
imm., Franklin Co., 2-23 Sep 2001 (FB, LS)
1, Ellis Grove, Randolph Co., 28 Oct 2017 (J. Gorrell, K. Wictor)
WINTER—One bird viewed at close range flying across the Union County Floodplain represents the only winter record.
1, 3 miles nw. of Wolf Lake, Union Co., 29 Dec 1988 (WDR)
Documentation: Photograph—1, sw. Jackson Co., 26 Jun 2015 (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S24062051).