Flycatchers, Shrikes and Vireos

Tyrant Flycatchers - Family Tyrannidae

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi. Rare in spring and fall in all regions. Found in forest habitats, primarily with emerging dead limbs.

Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens. Breeder. Common to fairly common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in open woodlands, parks, and along forest edges. Low Conservation Concern.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris. Rare in spring and fall in all regions. Found in forest interiors and along edges, and in low shrubby growth.

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in moist deciduous woods, dense woodlands, and wooded swamps. Low Conservation Concern.

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum. Occasional to rare in spring and fall in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions. Occasional in fall in Gulf Coast regions. Found in shrubby thickets, primarily of alder and willow.

Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii. Possible breeder. Occasional to rare in spring and fall in all regions, and occasional in summer in Mountain region. Found in shrubby thickets, primarily of alder and willow.

Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus. Uncommon in fall and occasional to rare in spring in all regions. Found in open woodlands, orchards, and parks.

Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii. Accidental.

Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri. Accidental.

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe. Breeder. Fairly common in all seasons in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions. In Inland Coastal Plain, common in winter, spring, and fall, and uncommon to rare in summer. In Gulf Coast region, common in winter, spring, and fall. Found in open deciduous woodlands near bridges, cliffs, caves, porches, and little-used or abandoned buildings.  Lowest Conservation Concern.

Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya. Accidental.

Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus. Rare in winter, spring, and fall in Gulf Coast region. In Mountain and Inland Coastal Plain regions, occasional in winter, spring, and fall. Found in open country, especially in pastures, agricultural lands, and early successional scrub.

Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens. Rare in winter and fall, and occasional in spring, in Gulf Coast region. In other regions, occasional in fall and winter. Found in open woodlands.

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in woodlands, open country with scattered trees, and parks. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus. Accidental.

La Sagra’s Flycatcher Myiarchus sagrae. Accidental.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris. Accidental.

Couch’s Kingbird Tyrannus couchii. Accidental.

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis. Uncommon to rare in fall, and rare in winter, spring, and summer in Gulf Coast region. In other regions, occasional in spring and fall. Found in open country with scattered trees, especially agricultural lands.

Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in open rural areas with scattered trees and shrubs, along woodland edges, and in agricultural fields with hedgerows, especially near ponds or rivers. Low Conservation Concern.

Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis. Breeder. Rare in spring, summer, and fall in Gulf Coast region. Found in open habitats and on beaches and sand dunes with scattered trees and scrub vegetation. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus. Breeder. Uncommon in fall, rare in winter and spring, and occasional in summer in Gulf Coast region. In other regions, rare in spring, summer, and fall. Found in open country, dry grasslands, and agricultural lands. Low Conservation Concern.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana. Accidental.

Shrikes - Family Laniidae

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus. Breeder. Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall, and uncommon in summer in all regions. Found in open country with scattered trees and shrubs and in hedgerows along agricultural fields. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Vireos - Family Vireonidae

White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall, and uncommon in winter in Gulf Coast region. In Inland Coastal Plain region, common in spring, summer, and fall, and rare in winter. In Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions, common in spring, summer, and fall. Found in undergrowth, early successional fields, streamside thickets, and along woodland edges. Low Conservation Concern.

Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii. Rare in fall and occasional in spring in Gulf Coast region. In other regions, occasional in spring and fall. Found in dense thickets.

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in Mountain, Tennessee, and Inland Coastal Plain regions. In Gulf Coast region, common in spring and fall, and fairly common in summer. Found in tall, open woodlands, especially near water. Low Conservation Concern.

Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius. Breeder. Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall in Gulf Coast region. In Inland Coastal Plain region, uncommon in winter, spring, and fall. In Mountain region, uncommon in spring and fall, rare in winter, and rare to locally uncommon in summer. In Tennessee Valley region, uncommon in spring and fall, and rare in winter. Found in woodlands. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus. Local breeder. In Tennessee Valley region, rare in spring, summer, and fall. In other regions, rare in spring and fall. Found in open, park-like woodlands, with tall trees, especially near water. Low Conservation Concern.

Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus. Fairly common in fall, and rare in spring in all regions. Found in woodlands.

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus. Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in deciduous woods, mixed forests, shade trees, and woodlots. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus. Rare in spring and occasional in fall in Gulf Coast region. Found in coastal trees and thickets.

References Cited:

Mirarchi. Ralph E., ed. 2004. Alabama Wildlife, Volume One.  A Checklist of Vertebrates and Selected Invertebrates: Aquatic Mollusks, Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals.  The University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. 209 pp.