Contopus sordidulus
western wood pewee
(Also: western wood-pewee)

Contopus sordidulus are found in western North America, starting in east central Alaska, to northwestern Minnesota, all the way south into southern Baja. In the fall they leave the northern area and head towards the south. During the winter, they can be found migrating even further south to Panama. (DeGraaf and Rappole, 1995; Eastman, 1997)

In the summer, C. sordidulus are found in evergreen forests, woodlands, coniferous forests, and also open and closed canopy forests. In the winter they can also be found in agricultural fields, meadows, grasslands, and thickets. In general, western wood-pewees prefer dry environments. (DeGraaf and Rappole, 1995; Shuford, 1993; Small, 1994)

Western wood-pewees are seen close to land but are usually found in tall treetops. They build nests at the end of tree branches. The limbs can either be dead or alive, the birds have no known preference. Usually the branches are at least 5-12 meters above the ground. The nests are weaved out of fiber, grasses, lichens, spider webs, and shredded bark and are shaped like shallow cups. The blending of the color and the shape to the tree allows them to go practically unnoticed resembling stubs on the branches. (DeGraaf and Rappole, 1995; Shuford, 1993; Small, 1994)

Tail: 7-7.62 cm

Western wood-pewees have angular heads with moderate crests. Their flanks and sides are dark brown with blurry streaks that go toward the lower sides. Their tertials are distinctly fringed and are more obvious than their wing bars. Western wood-pewees' tails are short relative to their body proportions. They have long upper tail coverts which reach the midway point of the primary extensions, which are known to be long. Their bills are mostly dark, the lower mandibles are about 50% darker than the unpper mandibles. Their breasts have an olive look. Also, the throats have a whitish color which continues on their bellies and under their tails. (Phillips, Marshall, and Monson, 1964; USGS, 2003a)

There are differences between the adult and the juvenile plumage. The adult has more of a grayish throat whereas the juvenile has a dull color. Also the wing bars are not as vibrant on juveniles as they are on adult C. sordidulus. (Sibley, 2000)

Although information on the exact life expectancy of C. sordidulus is unavailable, eastern wood-pewees, which are very similar to western wood-pewee groups, have a life expectancy of about 7 years.

Contopus sordidulus appear calm. They perch on the branches for a long amount of time, usually to watch for prey. They fly occasionaly to catch insects that are in the air. (Eastman, 1997)

Home Range

Home range information could not be found for this species.

Contopus sordidulus are very hard to differentiate from other birds in their family, such as eastern wood-pewees. But the one thing that does stand out is their communication calls. Eastern wood-pewees have a nasal whistle that sounds like "DREE-yurr" or "breerrr". It sounds very rough. Western wood-pewees sound a bit different, like a plain, sneezy, "brrrt". During breeding a sound is sent out as "tswee-tee-teet". (National Geographic, 1999; Sibley, 2000)

The majority of the time, C. sordidulus feed on insects such as flies, wasps, bees, ants, beetles, moths, and butterflies. On other occasions they eat dragonflies, termites, and spiders. All the insects are caught in the air. Contopus sordidulus hunt from the perch and capture prey by twisting very quickly in the air. Immediately after catching a prey item, they return to the perch. (Coves, 1890; Shuford, 1993)

Blue jays are nest predators on this species. They will feed on the young in the nest. Hawks are also predators of C. sordidulus. The nest is made up of colors that will allow it to look like a stump on the tree. Camouflage is their way of avoiding predation. (Eastman, 1997)

Contopus sordidulus provide food for blue jays as well as other predators. Western wood-pewees also prey on various insects and spiders. (Coves, 1890; Eastman, 1997; Shuford, 1993)

Western wood-pewees have no known negative affects on humans.

Songbirds such as western wood-pewees, are important to birdwatchers. In addition, as generalist insectivores, they may affect pest populations.

Contopus sordidulus are abundant, but according to the Breeding Bird Survey, there is an increase in Washington but a decrease in British Colombia and Oregon. The decrease could be due to the loss of habitat on breeding grounds and winter grounds. ("Western wood-pewee", 2002; Darryl Wheye, 1999; DeGraaf and Rappole, 1995)

If people disturb the birds then there is a possibility that the mother will leave her nest. This is usually caused by an overabundance of human activity surrounding them. The mothers would not only leave the nest, but her young as well. (Eastman, 1997)