The Alder Flycatcher is a breeding bird of wet thickets across northern North America and down the Appalachians. It is very similar in appearance to the Willow Flycatcher, and formerly the two species were combined into a species called Traill's Flycatcher. Alder Flycatchers migrate to South America for the winter.
The Alder Flycatcher is an indistinct, olive-green bird with bold, white wingbars. The best way to tell Alder Flycatcher from Willow Flycatcher is by their songs. The Alder song sounds like "ray-deep," going upward on the second syllable.
True to its name, the Alder Flycatcher commonly nests in alder (Alnus) thickets.
Alder Flycatchers do well in open settings, such as bog in which there are alder thickets. In May and June, look for Alder Flycatchers at Finzel Swamp in western Maryland, and at Cranesville Swamp, on the Maryland-West Virginia border. Listen for the distinctive song, issued from a high branch, from which it flies out to catch insects. Their nests at these sites are usually in Gray Alder.
There are 113 records in the project database.
Alder Flycatcher in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/21/2011). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. - Bill Hubick.
Alder Flycatcher in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. - Kyle Klotz.
Alder Flycatcher in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Josh Emm.
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