NWT Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
|
Species at Risk (NWT) Act list: No status
Federal Species at Risk Act list: Threatened
COSEWIC Assessment: Threatened
NWT General Status Rank: At Risk
Description
The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a deep olive-grey, with a white breast and belly. The dark patches on either side of its white belly look like an unbuttoned vest. Its bill is short and stout, the top bill is dark and the bottom one is light with a black tip.
|
 |
Distribution
Biology
The Olive-sided Flycatcher arrives in the Northwest Territories in late May and early June. Females incubate for about 15 days and eggs hatch from the end of June to mid-July. The Olive-sided Flycatcher leaves the Northwest Territories from late July to early August and winters in South and Central America. It eats flying insects. Although reasons are unclear, many areas outside the north have reported significant declines in the numbers of Olive-sided Flycatchers.
Habitat
• within the boreal forest, near open areas containing tall trees or snags for perching
• young forest after a forest fire or clearcut
Potential Threats
• threats to the species are uncertain and may be more applicable to their southern breeding range and wintering range
• fire suppression as a forest management practice may be decreasing the availability of breeding habitat
• extreme weather on breeding grounds that decreases the availability of food could delay nesting or reduce nestling survival
Did you know?
• The Olive-sided Flycatcher perches on a tall tree or snag and waits for an insect to fly by before pursuing its prey.
• They have a loud song that sounds like “quick, THREE BEERS”.