Least flycatcher

The least flycatcher is the smallest of the eastern flycatchers, an olive-grey bird with a pale eye ring and an emphatic, repeated che-bek song that rings through the aspen woods in late May. It flicks its tail and wings as it perches, and sits upright, watching for movement.

Least flycatchers nest in deciduous woodland across much of Manitoba, building a neat cup in the fork of a tree and often placing several nests close together in loose neighbourhoods. They catch insects in mid-air, returning to the same perch after each sally. They arrive in May and leave by September for Central America.

I love how loud a least flycatcher is for such a tiny bird, with its sharp, repeated “che-bek” call.

Want to learn more about the least flycatcher and where it lives? Visit its page at All About Birds.

Least flycatcher Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the least flycatcher in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.