How can you tell a willow flycatcher?

What is the habitat of a willow flycatcher?

Willow flycatchers breeding habitat in California is in vegetation near watercourses, also called riparian habitat. They usually nest in shrubs. Usually, males arrive first to the breeding grounds and establish territories. Males establish territories by singing on high perches and sometimes, chasing other birds out of their territories.

What does a willow flycatcher sound like?

The willow flycatcher does not have a melodic song; the willow flycatcher song sounds like a bird sneezing out “fitz-pew”, although, males do sing quite loudly from their perches. Sometimes, neighboring males will countersing in response to the first male singing. Females tend to arrive later and settle onto a territory held by a male.

What is the habitat of the southwestern willow flycatcher?

The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher prefers dense tree and shrub habitat for nesting. Native vegetation—including willows, box elder, buttonbush, and cottonwood—are used, but they also nest in thickets dominated by non-native, introduced species such as tamarisk and Russian olive.

Why is the southwestern willow flycatcher important?

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. This little flycatcher has a big impact, controlling insect populations around wetlands and waterways. It nests in these important riparian habitats alongside other threatened species, such as the western population of Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

What is the classification of alder tree?

Alder trees and shrubs (Alnus spp.) are fast-growing and usually deciduous in nature. The 30 members of the genus are classified in the Betulaceae family, which is more commonly known as the birch family. The thin bark and light wood of the Alder tree make it obvious that this tree belongs with other Betulaceae species.

Are there any flycatchers in Valle Crucis?

Empidonax flycatchers – for years Curtis Smalling has observed two species of this genus – Least and Willow flycatchers – nesting at the Valle Crucis Community Park. This is one of our stops on our spring mountain birding trip.

Are alder trees wind pollinated?

The plant is wind pollinated. When the female flowers are pollinated, they mature into small cones, or strobiles. Though the majority of alder tree species are deciduous, these trees resist the brilliant autumn color change of most other deciduous species.

What are the different types of alder catkins?

While most other alder trees produce yellow catkins, this tree has reddish-purple catkins that appear each spring. This species is either a shrub or a small tree. It tends to clone itself through suckers, forming a dense thicket of alders if left unchecked. The species name serrulata refers to the margins of the leaves, which are toothed.

What is flycatcher habitat?

Most flycatcher habitat is inherently dynamic, with individual riparian patches subject to cycles of creation, growth, and loss because of drought, flooding, fire, and other disturbances.

How long does it take to study a southwest willow flycatcher?

Duration of Study: 2 years. 11. Need: The southwestern willow flycatcher is a neotropical migrant wintering in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Therefore, it spends less than half of the year on its breeding grounds in the American Southwest.

Is the willow flycatcher an endangered species?

Therefore, the flycatcher was listed as endangered, but designation of critical habitat was postponed (Federal Register 60:10694-10715, February 27, 1995). How many Southwestern Willow Flycatchers remain?

Where do flycatchers live in the United States?

E.t. extimus (Southwestern Willow Flycatcher): breeding range includes southern California (from the Santa Ynez River south), Arizona, New Mexico, extreme southern portions of Nevada and Utah, extreme southwest Colorado, and western Texas.

Is the willow flycatcher an invertebrate or vertebrate?

The willow flycatcher is an aerial insectivore. Its use of habitat may be strongly influenced by availability of prey. Invertebrate composition is influenced by the vegetation and hydrologic characteristics of local habitat. Currently, we know very little about the composition of willow flycatcher prey nor patterns of prey availability.

What are catkins on trees?

Catkins start to appear on trees in the late winter months and provide a cheering sign that spring is on the way. Catkins are easily identified by its long, slim shape and spiky texture. Catkins play an essential role in tree reproduction and can be found on hazel, silver birch and white willow trees among other species.

What does an alder tree look like in the spring?

These trees have smooth, gray bark and the underside of the leaves also has a gray appearance. While most other alder trees produce yellow catkins, this tree has reddish-purple catkins that appear each spring.

What are some wind pollinated trees?

Many economically important trees are also wind-pollinated. These include pines, spruces, firs and many hardwood trees, including several species cultivated for nut production. Dandelions have yellow flowers with small petals. They’re also wind pollinated plants.

Are there male and female alders?

Both male and female flowers (catkins) appear on the trees. As a monoecious species, alders self-pollinate. Female flowers begin developing as small, round green growths in the summer or fall before the next spring’s bloom.

Do alders self-pollinate?

As a monoecious species, alders self-pollinate. Female flowers begin developing as small, round green growths in the summer or fall before the next spring’s bloom. Yellowish male flower clusters form into 1.2 to 3.9-inch slender, dropping cylinders, releasing their pollen in early spring (January-April). The plant is wind pollinated.

Do alder trees flower before or after they produce leaves?

While most other alder trees flower before producing leaves, this variety sends out its leaves before the catkins appear.

What does a black alder look like?

This is a short-lived tree which grows a dark green alder leaf, both male catkins and female catkins, and small fruits. As it is common with other trees thriving near rivers and lakes, typical black alder maintains its leaves longer than trees in drylands.

Where do Acadian flycatchers live in the US?

Acadian flycatchers travel between the United States and Canada in the summer and South America in the winter. They arrive in their northern home between April and May, which can be anywhere from southeastern Minnesota to eastern Texas or anywhere east from there to the Atlantic Coast.

How can I help the willow flycatcher?

Let your local, State, and Federal officials know your position regarding conservation of the Willow Flycatcher and other neotropical migrants and their riparian habitats. Keep informed through local and regional conservation groups about activities that may affect neotropical migratory birds and their habitats.