Official Status:

Listed Endangered in 1995

Life History:

The southwestern willow flycatcher is present in breeding territories by mid-May. It builds nests and lays eggs in late May and early June (average clutch size is 2 to 5 eggs) and fledges young in early to mid-July. Second clutches only occur if the first clutch failed. Between August and September, the southwestern willow flycatcher migrates to wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and possibly northern South America.
The southwestern willow flycatcher is an insectivore and forages within and above dense riparian vegetation. It catches insects while flying, hovers to glean them from foliage, and occasionally captures insects on the ground.

Distribution and Habitat:

The breeding range of the southwestern willow flycatcher includes southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, extreme southern portions of Nevada and Utah, far western Texas, perhaps southwestern Colorado, and extreme northwestern Mexico. In Nevada this subspecies can be found along the Virgin River, lower Muddy River, Colorado River, and Pahranagat Valley.

The southwestern willow flycatcher breeds in relatively dense riparian tree and shrub communities associated with rivers, swamps, and other wetlands including lakes and reservoirs. In most instances, the dense vegetation occurs within the first 10 to 13 feet above ground. Habitat patches must be at least 0.25 ac in size and at least 30 feet wide. Historically the southwestern willow flycatcher nested in native vegetation including willows, seepwillow, boxelder, buttonbush, and cottonwood. Following modern changes to riparian communities, this subspecies still nests in native vegetation, but also uses thickets dominated by non-native tamarisk and Russian olive, or in mixed native non-native stands. The flycatcher builds a small open cup nest, most often 6.5 to 23feet above ground in a fork or on a horizontal branch of a medium-sized bush or small tree with dense vegetation above and around the nest.

Threats:

This species has declined because of removing, thinning, or destroying riparian vegetation; water diversions and groundwater pumping which alter riparian vegetation; overstocking or other mismanagement of livestock; and recreational development. In addition to above threats, the southwestern willow flycatcher is also subject to cowbird parasitism.

Fun Fact:

Actions / Current Information: