Least Flycatcher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesLeast Flycatcher
Small, compact flycatcher with a bold white eyering and 2 white wingbars.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, May 11, 2020Small and compact flycatcher with a round head. Grayish olive above with a dusky breast and a bold white eyering.
© Matthew Addicks / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, April 30, 2019Sings incessantly throughout the summer, tossing its head back with each "chebec" note.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 22, 2004Small and compact flycatcher with a round head. Grayish olive above with a dusky breast and a bold white eyering.
© Daniel Jauvin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 15, 2020Congregates in clusters in deciduous forests during the breeding season and sings incessantly throughout the summer. Note bold white eyering.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, May 18, 2016On the breeding grounds, nests in clusters, creating a flycatcher neighborhood with anywhere from 2 to 30 territories per cluster.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 30, 2004Breeds in deciduous and mixed forests of all ages including second-growth and mature forests.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 04, 2015Small and compact flycatcher with a white eyering found in deciduous and mixed forests of all ages.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, June 20, 2011Similar SpeciesWillow Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Willow Flycatchers are larger with narrower eyerings than Least Flycatchers. During the breeding season, Willow Flycatchers use brushy wet areas, while Least Flycatchers occur in deciduous forests.
© Michiel Oversteegen / Macaulay LibraryAruba, October 16, 2016Similar SpeciesAlder Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Alder Flycatchers are larger with narrower eyerings than Least Flycatchers. During the breeding season, Alder Flycatchers use brushy wet areas, while Least Flycatchers occur in deciduous forests.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 20, 2012Similar SpeciesAcadian Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Acadian Flycatchers are slightly larger with more of a greenish cast to them than Least Flycatchers. Their eyering is also narrower than Least Flycatcher’s.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 28, 2013Similar SpeciesYellow-bellied Flycatcher
Adult/immature
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are more yellow-olive overall with a yellowish throat and belly compared to the whitish throat and belly of Least Flycatchers.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 21, 2012Similar SpeciesEastern Wood-Pewee
Adult/immature
Eastern Wood-Pewees are larger and have a grayer belly with a vested look that Least Flycatchers do not have.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryOrange Walk, May 11, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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