Non-resident Boreal Species
In addition to the resident boreal species we already profiled (Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Black-backed Woodpecker), there are a handful of uncommon to rare breeding species that favor coniferous lowland habitats across the northern counties. Here we profile Olive-sided Flycatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. All are at the southern limits of their continental range here and generally reside in low densities, making them highly-sought among birders. Olive-sided Flycatcher and Ruby-crowned Kinglet are Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and Palm Warbler is a Species with Information Needs. The Atlas will play a key role in understanding the current status of these species. This document outlines tips and strategies to improve your chances of finding them.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher photo by Nick Anich
Olive-sided Flycatchers are known for sitting up at the very top of a small dead snag, and tend to favor habitats that have lots of snags. This can make them fond of certain conifer bogs, but also areas like barrens, burns, and cutovers with similar structure. According to analysis of Breeding Bird Survey data, Olive-sided Flycatcher populations have undergone a significant decline.
Region: Northern two tiers of counties. eBird Range Map
WBBA I map for Olive-sided Flycatcher
Time of Year: The main thing to note is that this is an extremely late migrant, you need to be careful because birds seen the first week of June may not be on territories yet!
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: Like many birds, morning is probably better, but birds can be heard singing throughout the day on territories.
Focal Habitat: Any site with a lot of small dead trees that stick up. Often conifer bogs or burned barrens.
Special Methods: No special methods. Be alert for the Quick-three-beers! call, and always be alert for a bird perched on the very top of a tree.
Code Guidance: Beware use of S in early June unless bird has been hanging around for weeks. Common codes include P, CF, and FL.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these swamps can have uncommon breeders like Lincoln’s Sparrow, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker.
Confusing Species: The primary confusion species is Eastern Wood-Pewee, which has similar structure, but is less boldly patterned, with different vocalizations.
More information about Olive-sided Flycatcher:
All About Birds
Birds of North America Account (subscription required)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet photo by Ryan Brady
Familiar during migration, Ruby-crowned Kinglets do breed in Wisconsin, but in much lower numbers than Golden-crowned Kinglets. Despite having many singing during breeding season, we have relatively few confirmations.
Region: Mostly the northern two tiers of counties. eBird Range Map
WBBA I map for Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Time of Year: Migrants can be found into mid to late May, so only code late May sightings if the bird persists in an area.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best.
Focal Habitat: The best areas are large conifer swamps, especially black spruce, but also tamarack. Birds also sing from upland spruce during breeding season, even near towns, but it is unclear if these birds are pairing and nesting.
Special Methods: Wear rubber boots and walk through a conifer swamp. Listen for their lively song.
Code Guidance: The easiest confirmed codes are probably CF or FL.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these swamps can have uncommon breeders like Golden-crowned Kinglet, Spruce Grouse, and Gray Jay.
Confusing Species: Visually, Golden-crowned Kinglet, or warblers are the primary confusion species. From a distance, the song sounds surprisingly like Carolina Wren, unlikely to occur in similar habitats.
More information about Ruby-crowned Kinglets:
All About Birds
Birds of North America Account (subscription required)
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler photo by Nick Anich
A very common fall migrant in Wisconsin, Palm Warbler is a Species of Information Need in Wisconsin because we do not have a good picture of their breeding range. They can be found singing in sparsely wooded conifer bogs, but also do well in young jack pine.
Region: Northern two tiers of counties, but their fondness for jack pine suggests they could range beyond the below map – into Marinette or Jackson/Wood County. eBird Range Map
WBBA I map for Palm Warbler
Time of Year: The first birds arrive in April, but beware migrants until the end of May.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best.
Focal Habitat: The best areas are large, somewhat open spruce/tamarack conifer swamps . Birds also use young jack pine.
Special Methods: Wear rubber boots and walk through a conifer swamp. Listen for their mechanical burry trill.
Code Guidance: The most common confirmed codes will likely be FL and CF. However, early season visits may also yield nest building activity like carrying nesting material (CN).
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, swamps can have uncommon breeders like Lincoln’s Sparrow and Boreal Chickadee. Barrens can have species like Connecticut Warbler, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Kirtland’s Warbler.
Confusing Species: By ear, Chipping Warbler and Pine Warbler are possible confusion species. Chipping Sparrow is a possible candidate for visual confusion. Palm Warbler is distinctive when seen well, often wagging tail.
More information about Palm Warblers:
All About Birds
Birds of North America Account (subscription required)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher photo by Ryan Brady
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is probably the most common Wisconsin breeder of the species profiled here, but because it prefers damp conifer bogs, most people do not wander into its habitat very often.
Region: Mainly the northern two tiers of counties, rare in the third tier. eBird Range Map
WBBA I map of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Time of Year: Another very late migrant, birds seen in the first week or even later into June may not be settled on territory.
Breeding Guideline Bar Chart: (Full chart is on atlas handbook webpage)
Time of Day: No special instructions. As with many birds, early morning hours are usually best.
Focal Habitat: Primarily dense black spruce and tamarack swamps. Like Palm Warbler, has been known to use jack pine, though the breeding or even pairing success in jack pine is unknown.
Special Methods: Wear rubber boots and walk suitable habitats listening for their distinctive call note. Beware confusion with Least Flycatcher or Eastern Wood-Pewee.
Code Guidance: The most common confirmed code will likely be CF.
Other Species: In addition to the species listed in this document, these swamps can have uncommon breeders like Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Connecticut Warbler.
Confusing Species: By song, beware confusion with Least Flycatcher or Eastern Wood-Pewee. Visually, beware confusion with other Empids – Alder is probably the most likely to be in similar habitat, sometimes using brushy swamp edges.
More information about Yellow-bellied Flycatcher:
All About Birds
Birds of North America Account (subscription required)