Birds Active during the day

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A master of the northern thickets, the Alder Flycatcher is a long-distance traveler known for its distinctive 'free-beer' song. This elusive insect-hunter thrives in the dampest corners of our continent, from Alaskan bogs to Andean foothills.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length 13-15 cm (5.1-5.9 in), wingspan 18-23 cm (7.1-9.1 in), weight 12-14 g (0.4-0.5 oz)

palette

Colors

Dull olive-green upperparts, whitish throat, pale olive wash on breast, and yellowish-white belly; two prominent white wing bars

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Key Features

Distinctive 'free-beer' song
Thin, indistinct white eye-ring
Slightly peaked crown profile
Two white or buffy wing bars

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 5-10 AM, 5-8 PM

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Season May-August

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Diet Almost exclusively insectivorous, targeting flies, beetles, wasps, and bees; occasionally eats small berries or seeds during late summer.

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Habitat Wet shrublands, alder thickets, bogs, and willow-lined stream banks.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Alder Flycatcher Live?

The Alder Flycatcher is a native of North America, breeding across a massive northern expanse that includes almost all of Canada, Alaska, and the northeastern United States. During the winter, these birds undertake a remarkable migration to South America, settling in the humid lowlands and Andean foothills of countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. While they pass through the central and southern United States during migration, they are rarely seen far from dense, wet vegetation.

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7 Countries

10.4M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

CA Canada US United States PE Peru BO Bolivia CO Colombia EC Ecuador BR Brazil

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Alder Flycatcher is a quintessential "sit-and-wait" predator. It spends much of its time perched upright on exposed twigs at the edges of wet thickets, scanning the air for passing insects. When it spots prey, it performs a quick, acrobatic maneuver known as "sallying"—darting out to snap up the insect in mid-air with a click of its beak before returning to the same or a nearby perch. This species is famously cryptic and difficult to see, often remaining tucked away in dense foliage.

During the breeding season, they are highly territorial and vocal. While visually nearly identical to the Willow Flycatcher, they are easily distinguished by their raspy, three-syllable song. They are solitary birds for most of the year, though they may join loose mixed-species flocks during their long-distance migrations. Interactions with humans are rare and indirect, as they prefer soggy, mosquito-rich habitats that people typically avoid.

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Camera Tips

To capture an Alder Flycatcher on an AI-powered trail camera, placement is everything. These birds are specialists of the 'edge' habitat. Look for transitions where dense, marshy shrubbery meets open water or a clear path. Mount your camera 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) off the ground, aiming at horizontal, exposed branches that protrude from the foliage. These are their favorite hunting perches. Use a camera with a fast trigger speed, as their sallying flight is incredibly rapid.

Since Alder Flycatchers don't visit traditional seed or suet feeders, you have to get creative to lure them into frame. A solar-powered birdbath or a simple water dripper is your best tool. The sound of moving water is an irresistible magnet for flycatchers, who use it both for drinking and bathing. Place the water source in a small clearing near dense shrubs and set your camera to capture short video clips to record their characteristic tail-flicking behavior.

Seasonality is a major factor for this species. In most of North America, they only arrive in late May and depart by late August. To ensure you don't miss them, set your camera's sensitivity to high during the early morning hours just after sunrise. This is when the males are most active singing their 'free-beer' song and defending their territory. If you have berry-producing shrubs like elderberry in your yard, consider moving your camera toward them in late July, as the birds may supplement their diet with fruit before their long flight south.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Alder Flycatcher.

Willow Flycatcher

Nearly identical in appearance; distinguished mainly by its 'fitz-bew' song and preference for slightly drier habitats.

Least Flycatcher

Smaller in size with a much more prominent, bold white eye-ring and a shorter bill.

Eastern Phoebe

Larger, lacks distinct wing bars, and has a characteristic habit of constantly wagging its tail downward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Alder Flycatchers are most active in the early morning, from dawn until about 10 AM, when insects are beginning to fly and males are singing most vigorously to defend their territory.

Traditional birdseed won't work for these birds. Instead, maintain native wet shrubbery like alders or willows and provide a moving water source like a birdbath with a dripper.

They are primarily insectivores, catching flies, wasps, and beetles in mid-air. During the late summer, they may occasionally eat small berries like elderberries or blackberries.

They are generally uncommon in typical suburban lawns unless your property borders a wetland, bog, or swampy forest edge with dense thickets.

Visually, they are almost identical. The most reliable way to tell them apart is by their song: the Alder sings a buzzy 'free-beer,' while the Willow sings a sneeze-like 'fitz-bew.'

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