Olive-sided Flycatcher Gallery

Conotopus cooperi

eBird describes the Olive-sided Flycatcher this way:  tocky flycatcher that almost always perches conspicuously on a high bare perch with an upright posture. From the front, look for dark sides creating a vest, with a bright white stripe from throat to belly. White patches on the sides of rump are sometimes visible from behind. Most similar to pewees but larger and larger-billed, with more contrasting vest. Feeds on insects. Breeds in clearings and bogs in boreal or mountainous forests, but can be found in migration in open habitats with a mixture of woods and clearings. Distinctive whistled song is often likened to “quick, three beers;” also listen for “pip” call notes.  All About Birds offers additional descriptive information about the Olive-sided Flycatcher:  The Olive-sided Flycatcher whistles an instantly recognizable quick, three beers! across its rugged habitat of coniferous mountain forests, bogs, and muskeg. This husky, barrel-chested flycatcher is the largest of the pewees, with heavy grayish markings on the sides as if the bird is wearing a waistcoat. Olive-sided Flycatchers are vigorous defenders of their territory and nest, chasing rivals and predators with the fervor of a kingbird. Look for them singing from open perches in the highest parts of live or dead trees. These birds are also fairly common in recently burned forests.

I saw and photographed the Olive-sided Flycather perched on a dead tree near Skyline Drive in the Davis Mountains State Park on September 1, 2020.  This stoic little bird sat still just long enough for a couple of photos!