Willow Flycatcher – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Overview

Species Common Name Willow Flycatcher
Species Scientific Name Empidonax traillii
Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.

Special needs

Willow Flycatchers are dependent upon riparian shrub habitat. They require a dense, continuous or near-continuous shrub layer, especially of willows.

Limiting factors

Willow Flycatchers have experienced declines. Loss and degradation of riparian shrub habitat, in part due to altered hydrological regimes and invasive species, have contributed to these declines. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism may also adversely affect breeding success.

Data gaps

Assess abundance and trends. Identify site and landscape factors that contribute to Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism.

Conservation actions

Restore brushy patches of willow and other native shrubby habitat near water. Control non-native plants to maintain native shrub communities. Discourage Brown-headed Cowbird use of riparian areas through seasonal grazing and/or maintaining high grass heights in priority areas. Restore riparian and early seral/montane meadow habitat in the West Cascades.

Key reference or plan

Conservation Strategy for Landbirds in Lowlands and Valleys of Western Oregon and Washington Conservation Assessment of the Willow Flycatcher in the Sierra Nevada