FlycatchersGreater PeweeContopus pertinax
- ORDER: Passeriformes
- FAMILY: Tyrannidae
Basic Description
The Greater Pewee is a large, grayish brown flycatcher of mountainous pine and pine-oak forests of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Like many other flycatchers, it has a jaunty crest, pale yellowish belly, and catches insects on short, acrobatic flights from an exposed perch. Its large, wide bill with yellow-orange underside helps to distinguish it, as does its lively, whistled ho-say ma-REE-ah song. In Mexico, a common local name for it is José Maria.
More ID InfoFind This Bird
It’s easiest to find Greater Pewees in spring or early summer by listening for the male’s distinctive, whistling José Maria song. Search at middle elevation pine and pine-oak forests, for instance at around 6,000 feet in the mountains of southeastern Arizona.
Other Names
- Pibí Tengofrío (Spanish)
- Moucherolle de Coues (French)
- Cool Facts
- The Western Wood-Pewee and Greater Pewee belong to the same genus (Contopus), and the two species often fight to drive each other away from their nest areas. Where their ranges overlap, the smaller Western Wood-Pewee hunts insects from lower branches, whereas the Greater Pewee hunts from higher branches and snags. The hefty Olive-sided Flycatcher, also a Contopus species, usually perches near the tops of trees when hunting.
- The Greater Pewee vigorously defends its nest, often driving away larger birds and mammals. Smaller bird species, such as the Plumbeous Vireo, Hepatic Tanager, and Olive Warbler may build their nests close to a pewee nest, perhaps gaining protection from the aggressive flycatcher.