Watercolor portrait of Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)

Western Wood-Pewee

Contopus sordidulus
Western Wood-Pewees breed across western… Look for it in open conifer woods, mixed… Fairly common Perched song

Learn to identify the Western Wood-Pewee by ear. Master the "peeeer" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“peeeer”

What the Western Wood-Pewee sounds like

This slim, understated flycatcher comes alive when it sings from a dead snag or bare branch. Look for a dusky gray chest, faint wingbars, and long wings on a bird that sits upright, then zips out to grab insects in midair.

“peeeer”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A soft, slurred, slightly buzzy whistle that trails off at the end. It carries through warm western woods on summer mornings and afternoons. Often written as “peeeer”.
Don't confuse with:The Eastern Wood-Pewee — looks extremely similar overall.

Where you'll hear it

Look for it in open conifer woods, mixed forests, woodland edges, burned areas, and streamside cottonwoods across the West. It likes open sightlines and a good lookout perch.

They arrive fairly late in spring, often after many other songbirds have already settled in. Summer is the best time to hear their soft, drawn-out song; by early fall, most have slipped south again.

Similar species

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Looks extremely similar overall.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Larger and bulkier, with a bigger head and heavier chest pattern.

Cordilleran Flycatcher

Smaller and shorter-winged.

Western Wood-Pewee song FAQ

What does a Western Wood-Pewee sound like?
A soft, slurred, slightly buzzy whistle that trails off at the end. It carries through warm western woods on summer mornings and afternoons. Listen for the "peeeer" phrase.
How do I tell a Western Wood-Pewee from a Eastern Wood-Pewee by sound?
Eastern Wood-Pewee: Looks extremely similar overall.; Eastern usually gives the classic pee-a-wee song, while Western sounds more like a drawn-out peeer.; Range and voice are often the safest clues..
When is the best time to hear a Western Wood-Pewee?
They arrive fairly late in spring, often after many other songbirds have already settled in. Summer is the best time to hear their soft, drawn-out song; by early fall, most have slipped south again.