Yellow-bellied flycatchers breed from southern Arctic Canada, across Canada from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic provinces and the north-easternmost states. In the spring

and fall, they migrate in the eastern half of the United States.

Their wintering grounds are in southern Central America.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Breeding

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Breeding

Global Range: BREEDS: northern British Columbia and west-central Mackenzie east across central Canada to Labrador, south to central Alberta, northern North Dakota, Great Lakes region, and northern New England, also isolated breeding in western Virginia and West Virginia. WINTERS: southern and eastern Mexico to eastern Panama.

As the name suggests, Yellow-bellied flycatchers have yellow

bellies and throats. They are bright green on their backs. They

have light-colored rings around their eyes and wing bars. Flycatchers of the genus Empidonax, including Empidonax flaviventris, are monomorphic, the sexes look alike. There are

rictal bristles around the beak, which is fairly wide and flat.

Average mass: 12 g.

Average mass: 11.9 g.

Length: 14 cm

Weight: 12 grams

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater

Yellow-bellied flycatchers can be found in forested areas and along foothills. They prefer moist environments such as bogs and

the edges of mixed wood and coniferous forests, particularly

near water bodies.

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Comments: Damp coniferous forest, swamps, bogs. In migration in various habitats from low scrub to forest; in winter prefers understory of primary or secondary forest, scrubby woodland, and shady clearings (Stiles and Skutch 1989), commonly in humid lowland forest and open woodland. Nests on or near ground, in side of mossy mound or among roots of upturned tree, usually well hidden in sphagnum moss or growing herbage.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Migrates northward through the eastern U.S. in April-May (Terres 1980). Southward migration may begin as early as mid-July, passes through southern Texas beginning mainly in mid-August (Condor 94:526-529). Migrates through Costa Rica late August-October and March to mid-May (Stiles and Skutch 1989).

The Yellow-bellied flycatcher is insectivorous, although it may

occasionally eat some berries. They pick insects off of foliage

or hawk, catching insects in the air and returning to a perch.

They tend to stay near the forest floor. Their rictal bristles

help to catch insects, and a hooked beak helps hold them.

Comments: Eats mainly insects; forages close to ground (Bent 1942), sometimes eats fruits (Stiles and Skutch 1989). Hawks insects from leaves, twigs, or from air (Rappole and Warner 1980).

Both sexes defend winter territories (Stiles and Skutch 1989; averaged 0.3 ha in Mexico (Rappole and Warner 1980).

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 48 months.

Empidonax flaviventris nests on or near the ground. The female

builds and lines a cup-shaped nest with mosses and plant material. A clutch of 3 to 5 white eggs with brown spots is laid. On average, each egg meausures 13x17 mm. Both male and female tend the young. Breeding occurs between May and late August.

Average time to hatching: 15 days.

Average eggs per season: 3.

Eggs are laid in June-July. Clutch size usually is 3-4. Incubation, by female, lasts 15 days. Young are tended by both parents, leave nest at 15 days.

The Yellow-bellied flycatcher ranges from being common to uncommon on its breeding grounds, and is not often seen while migrating. This probably does not represent any threat of endangerment, but demonstrates that this is not a very visible species.

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5B - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5B - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

There are no known negative effects on humans or on any animal

species which we consider beneficial.

The Yellow-bellied flycatcher has little impact on humans, other

than feeding on insects which we consider to be an annoyance.