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Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): SNA
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Species range
Nesting range extends from southeastern Alaska and northwestern and central British Columbia (including Queen Charlotte and Vancouver islands) south to southwestern California (generally west of Cascades and Sierra Nevada) and mountains of northern and southern Baja California (AOU 1998, Lowther 2000). Range in southeastern British Columbia, Alberta, and north-central and northeastern Washington is uncertain and in need of further study. Winter range is mainly along Pacific coast lowlands of Mexico (0-1,500 meters elevation) from southern Baja California and northwestermn Mexico (southern Sonora) south to Oaxaca west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, rarely north to California and Arizona (Howell and Webb,1995, AOU 1998, Lowther 2000).The insulicola group is resident in the Channel Islands off southern California (AOU 1989).Coded range extent refers to nesting range.
Migration
Breeding populations in U.S. (except Channel Islands population) move out of U.S. for winter. Arrives in U.S. nesting areas March-May (Terres 1980).
Habitat
Nesting habitat includes humid coniferous forest (mostly coastal), pine-oak forest and other mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, broadleaf evergreen forest, dense second-growth woodland, and riparian woodlands, often where open areas exist under the canopy of large trees and favoring shady ravines in some areas (AOU 1998, Lowther 2000). In more open and drier habitats on Channel Islands, this flycatcher occurs among eucalyptus shade trees or in oak clumps in canyon bottoms, foraging over coastal scrub and opuntia cactus (Johnson 1980). Nests are placed on cliffs, earth banks, tree branch crotches, or building ledges, or in tree cavities, often along streams or near seeps or springs.In migration, Pacific-slope flycatchers tend to associate with shady habitats. Wintering occurs in montane evergreen forest, gallery forest, tropical deciduous forest, and tropical lowland evergreen forest (AOU 1998).
Food habits
Primarily insectivorous; feeds mainly on Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera. Also feeds on some berries and seeds. Usually forages by flying out from a perch and catching insects in the air.
Reproductive characteristics
Clutch size is 3-4. Incubation, by female, lasts 14-15 days. Nestlings are tended by both parents, leave nest in 14-18 days, fed for 10-11 more days (Harrison 1978).
Threats or limiting factors
Certainly habitat alteration is a threat to local populations, but overall this species faces no major threats. This species often nests on buildings and does not require pristine habitat.
