Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) is in the Tyrant Flycatchers family (Tyrannidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,091 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Willow Flycatcher: observations by month (U.S.)
About Willow Flycatcher
The willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) is a small insect-eating, neotropical migrant bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. There are four subspecies of the willow flycatcher currently recognized, all of which breed in North America (including three subspecies that breed in California). Empidonax flycatchers are almost impossible to tell apart in the field so biologists use their songs to distinguish between them. The binomial commemorates the Scottish zoologist Thomas Stewart Traill.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Willow Flycatcher by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,265 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Washington | 512 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Oregon | 316 | June | May–Aug |
| Ohio | 267 | May | May–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 236 | May | May–Jul |
| Illinois | 220 | May | May–Jul |
| New York | 202 | May | May–Jul |
| Arizona | 169 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Montana | 169 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Texas | 149 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Idaho | 131 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 122 | June | May–Jul |
| Maryland | 120 | June | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 105 | May | May–May |
| Wisconsin | 98 | June | May–Jul |
| New Jersey | 96 | May | May–Jul |
| Michigan | 88 | May | May–Jul |
| Minnesota | 85 | June | May–Jul |
| Colorado | 64 | May | May–May |
| Vermont | 63 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 62 | July | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 62 | May | May–Jun |
| Utah | 61 | August | May–Sep |
| Connecticut | 51 | July | May–Jul |
| Tennessee | 47 | May | May–May |
| Wyoming | 40 | June | May–Sep |
| Nebraska | 38 | June | May–Aug |
| North Dakota | 24 | June | Jun–Jun |
| North Carolina | 23 | May | May–May |
| Iowa | 18 | May | May–Aug |
| Nevada | 17 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Florida | 15 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Maine | 15 | June | May–Aug |
| South Dakota | 15 | July | May–Jul |
| West Virginia | 15 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 14 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Georgia | 12 | June | May–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 12 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Delaware | 11 | June | May–Jul |
| Kentucky | 10 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 9 | June | May–Jul |
| District of Columbia | 8 | May | May–Jun |
| Louisiana | 7 | May | May–May |
| Kansas | 6 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Eastern Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Willow Flycatcher?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Willow Flycatcher most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.