Reflections of the Natural World

SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT Blog Post #8

California’s “Range of Light” is home to a diverse array of both colorful and cryptic birds (the feathers). It is my intent to use my passion for birds and photography to paint a story about 120 of the most common or most sought-after Sierra Nevada (Range of Light) birds by most nature enthusiasts.

Sierra Nevada Birds – Feathers in the Range of Light is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Olive-sided Flycatcher – Contopus cooperi
Name Roots: (Gr. knotos, “ahort”; pous, “foot”)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Olive-sided Flycatcher’s song is its most characteristic feature. A distinctively loud and penetrating 3-note whistle popularly translated as quick, THREE BEERS!

Appears proportionally bull-headed, and short-tailed, with stout bill. Plumage deep brownish olive-gray above (darkest on crown), and white on throat and center of breast and belly, with strongly contrasting olive-gray sides and flanks (often streaked). Dark patches on either side of white breast and belly are distinctive and often likened to appearance of an unbuttoned vest. White tuft above wing along side of rump is also distinctive, but not always visible. Occasionally white patch is also visible along sides or flanks.

DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a Fairly Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.

eBird Bar Charts

Click/tap each link below for more in-depth information on each topic:

• Distribution & Occurrence Terminology
• Sierra Nevada Biotic Zones
• eBird Bar Charts

CONSERVATION STATUS – IUCN Red List Category

The Olive-sided Flycatcher is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Redlist Classification Justification: The species has undergone a moderately rapid decline and therefore qualifies as as Near Threatened. (DataZone OSFL Link)

In the past 30 years this species has experienced significant declines in populations throughout its range, causing it to be listed as a Sensitive Species or Species of Concern by several federal and state agencies and conservation groups.

PLAYING WITH PHOTOSHOP – Accented Edges Filter