Acadian Flycatcher

Status Three sight records. Nineteenth century references to this bird undoubtedly represent confusion with other species of the genus. Full descriptions have been filed on only three sightings of apparent Acadian Flycatchers: two on Sable Island, 23 May 1977, seen by Ian A. McLaren; one on Seal Island, 9 October 1979, seen by Ian A. McLaren, Eric Mills and others; and one on Brier Island, 14 May 1984, seen by Ian and Bernice McLaren. Other occurrences have been suspected.

Remarks Adults of this large Empidonax flycatcher are generally even brighter green on the back than the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, lack its yellowish throat and have larger, broader bills. Nevertheless, our sight records can only be tentative evidence of the species' occurrence here until specimens, measurements of captured birds, or voice recordings are obtained.

The breeding range of this species is in the eastern United States as far north as southern New Hampshire and Vermont.