Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)

Willow Flycatcher was removed from the Review List 14 March 2015.

Accepted Records

Two adults tending nest that fledged one young (83-24) in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, between 18 May - 29 June 1983 (Bruce Bartrug; Tom Kee). This record was particularly well-documented with a photograph of an adult at the nest and tape recordings of the song.

A singing bird (84-13) at the same location 12-15 May 1984 (Tom Kee).

A singing bird (84-11) on the D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, Union Parish, on 5 May 1984 (Tom Kee).

One (94-68) on 13 Aug 1994, Vermilion: Parish Road 5-17 (now Avri Road) near Andrew; Paul E. Conover (ph, includes audio); NASFN 49(1): 59, LOS News 162: 5. Videotape (transferred to CD-R disc) includes audio of ”fitz-bew” vocalization. This is one of few well-documented records for Louisiana and the first accepted record of a fall migrant.

At least five (99-17) on 12 May 1999, Cameron: Hackberry Ridge, ca 2 mi. WSW of Johnsons Bayou School; William R. Fontenot and Gary Broussard (ph, audio tape only); NAB 53(3): 290, LOS News 187: 3. This is one of few well-documented records for Louisiana.

One to as many as three singing birds (2006-15) from 30 May-10 Jun 2006, Bossier: Cane’s Landing along Red River in NE. Bossier City; Terry Davis and James L. Ingold (audio 4 Jun); NAB60(4):538.

At least two (2008-09) on 12 May 2008, Ascension: 2 mi. N Hwy. 61 and I-10 freeway; Steven W. Cardiff (whitting male; SWC 8659) and Donna L. Dittmann (photo of singing individual.

Photo by Donna L. Dittmann

Three, including two singing males (2008-72) on 12-13 May 2008, Bossier: Bossier City, Cane’s Landing at end of Colquitt Lane; Devin Bosler (photo) and B. Mac Myers III.

Two, presumed pair (2008-35) on 17 May 2008, Bossier: Bossier City, Viking Drive, James Beck (photo).

Up to five, including two pairs (2009-002) 25 June-1 August 2009, Bossier: Cane’s Landing on the Red River; Terry Davis.

Two (2009-112) on 12 July 2009, Caddo: Charles and Marie Hamel Park; Terry Davis.

Two (2009-061) on 17 July and 16 August 2009, Bossier: Elm Grove; Terry Davis.

One singing (2011-059) on 28 May 2011, Caddo: Bossier City, Cane’s Landing on Red River, N 32.52581°, W 93.74529°; Jeff Trahan (ph).

One male (2011-150) on 13 June 2011, Bossier: Red River, 0.4 mi. N East Texas Street Bridge; Jay V. Huner. This species was removed from the Review List on 14 March 2015.

One (2012-080) on 10 September 2012, Lafourche: near Port Fourchon; Donna L. Dittmann (ph) and Steven W. Cardiff.

Four, three singing males and one female attending a nest (2012-138), on 28 May 2012, Bossier: riparian area ca 0.4 mi. N East Texas Street Bridge; Jay V. Huner.

One (2013-099) on 25 May 2013, Red River: Red River NWR, Bayou Pierre Unit, Yates Tract; John Dillon (audio).

One (2014-089) on 15 May 2014, Cameron: Hackberry Ridge, 2 mi. WSW Johnsons Bayou School; Robert C. Dobbs (ph).

Unaccepted Records

Three (92-63) on 25 Aug 1992, St. Tammany: Lewisburg, near Mandeville. The observer was not 100% certain of the identification. All Members agreed that the description was not adequate to rule-out species such as Least Flycatcher and Eastern Wood-Pewee. Empidonax are notoriously difficult to identify and calls can be difficult to interpret without considerable experience.

One or two (1996-57) on 21 Sep 1996, Jefferson: Grand Isle, woods behind Sureway Market. The Committee agreed that the description did not rule out Least Flycatcher (E. minimus).

Two (2002-070) on 18 May 2002, Jefferson: Grand Isle, SW part of Cemetery Woods. The majority of Members were hesitant to accept a report of an Empidonax lacking hard evidence. The birds were vocalizing, but there was also confusion regarding whether the observer was referring to call notes or song.

One (2002-074) on 15 October 2002, St. Martin: UL Lafayette Experimental Farm approx. ˝ mi. S Hwy. 92 and ˝ mi. E W. J. Bernard Rd. Members believed the description, behavior, voice, and date were better for, or at least did not eliminate, Eastern Wood-Pewee.

One (2004-080) on 8 May 2004, DeSoto: Stonewall, Swim Club Rd., ˝ mi. W Hwy. 171 at creek crossing. This record went to a Discussion Round where all but one Member were not inclined to accept based on the combination of it being a late Spring record supported by few details and written eight months after the observation. Willow Flycatcher was removed from the Review List on 14 March 2015.

One singing (2013-080) on 16 August 2013, Ascension: 0.5 mi. E Hwy. 61. Description of the song did not convince Members that the observer was actually hearing a singing Willow Flycatcher. Fall migrant Empidonax can make a wide range of non-song vocalizations that could be interpreted as the “fitz-bew” song of Willow Flycatcher. In general, there are very few welldocumented Louisiana occurrences of fall migrants of this species, and fall migrants would generally not be expected to sing.

One (2014-088) on 7 May 2014, Cameron: Johnsons Bayou (ph). Although the bird was captured and banded, there is only a single photo (which is more suggestive of Acadian Flycatcher), and in-hand measurements seem equivocal.