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Habitat. In Canada, the Eastern Wood-pewee is mostly associated with the mid-canopy layer of forest clearings and edges of deciduous and mixed forests. It is most abundant in forest stands of intermediate age and in mature stands with little understory vegetation.
The eastern wood pewee (Contopus virens) is a small tyrant flycatcher from North America. This bird and the western wood pewee (C. sordidulus) were formerly considered a single species. The two species are virtually identical in appearance, and can be distinguished most easily by their calls.
In eastern woods in summer, the plaintive whistled pee-a-wee of this small flycatcher is often heard before the bird is seen. The bird itself is usually somewhere in the leafy middle story of the trees, perched on a bare twig, darting out to catch passing insects.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee is another one of those birds that are often overlooked. This is because their home and habitat is in the forest, where they are most often, concealed by the foliage of the trees. This grey-coloured pewee is a member of the flycatcher family. A good time to observe these birds is during the spring and fall migration.
Listen for clear whistled tones, especially the distinctive “PEE-a-weeEEE!” song. Learn more about Eastern Wood-Pewee from… Drab grayish-brown flycatcher found in forested areas and edges. Nondescript overall with two pale wingbars; bill usually shows extensive orange on lower mandible.
Habitat Eastern Wood-Pewees are most common in deciduous forest and woodland, but you may find them in nearly any forested habitat, even smaller woodlots, for breeding as long as it is fairly open. As migrants, these pewees can occur in nearly any woodlot or other treed area.
The olive-brown Eastern Wood-Pewee is inconspicuous until it opens its bill and gives its unmistakable slurred call: pee-a-wee!—a characteristic sound of Eastern summers. These small flycatchers perch on dead branches in the mid-canopy and sally out after flying insects.
