Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region: Species Accounts

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)

Abundance: Rare (6 records in 3 Kentucky counties).

Status: Transient during spring (2 records) and fall (4 records); photographs (see links below).

Regional High Count: 2 (8 September 2006; Adair County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton).

Information on Records: 

13 & 17 May 2000 (1) Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton; Busroe 2000c).

5 September 2003 (1) Mammoth Cave National Park, Barren County, Kentucky (Mark Monroe; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2004a).

12 September 2003 (1) Mt. Zion, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton [notes]; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2004a).

14 & 20 May 2006 (1 calling) Mt. Zion, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2006c).

8 September 2006 (2) Casey Creek, Adair County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton photo; Palmer-Ball and McNeeley 2007a).

5 September 2009 (1) Cathy Crockett Trail, Pulaski County, Kentucky (Roseanna M. Denton photo and unpubl. data).

Regional Extreme Dates:

    Spring: 12 May 2000 (1; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton)-20 May 2006 (1; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton).

    Fall: 5 September 2003 (1; Barren County, Kentucky; Mark Monroe) and 5 September 2009 (1; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton)-12 September 2003 (1; Pulaski County, Kentucky; Roseanna M. Denton).

Habitat: 

YardWatch Results 2003 and 2004: No registrations.

Remarks: Extremely difficult to identify during either migration season.  Song overlaps song of Least Flycatcher somewhat; one of this species' calls overlaps the song/call of Eastern Wood-Pewee.  Color of belly of this species sometimes isomorphic with color of belly of immature Acadian Flycatchers during fall.  Anyone seeking to i.d. this empid needs to take copious notes about its physical characteristics; photographs and sound recordings, especially, may be useful support of records.

Counties with Observations (boldfaced):

To see a map (Figure 1) displaying data about this species, click on the boldfaced word in this sentence.

Literature Cited