Eastern Wood Pewee - Similar Species

Similar Species

The Western Wood Pewee (C. sordidulus) is essentially indistinguishable visually. But its range is parapatric to the west of C. virens, and its song—a descending "tsee-tsee-tsee-peeer"—is entirely different.

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is similar, particularly in the worn plumage after breeding. It always lacks clearly defined wingbars, however, and bobs its tail frequently. It has a shorter primary projection. The Eastern Phoebe is also present on the breeding grounds by March, while Eastern Wood Pewees don't arrive until very late April and early May. The songs ("fee-bee, fee-bee") and calls ("chip") are quite different.

The Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) is quite similar to the Eastern Wood Pewee in plumage, but has a bold eye ring and much shorter primary projection, appearing rather blunt-winged. It also has a shorter bill and is smaller overall. The songs ("che-bec, che-bec") and calls (a sharp "whit") are very different.

• Eastern Wood Pewee, has two crisp, pale wing bars and long primary projection

• Western Wood Pewee looks like its sister species

• Eastern Phoebe lacks bolder wing bars and has shorter primary projection

• Least Flycatcher has bold eye-rings and shorter primary projection